Pope calls for unity, decries nationalism
Pope Francis called for a united Europe in an interview published by Italian daily La Stampa on Friday, saying recent political rhetoric has echoed that of Nazi Germany.
“I am concerned because we hear speeches that resemble those of Hitler in 1934,” he said. “‘ Us first, we, we.’ These are frightening thoughts.”
It is not the first time the pontiff has made such remarks, but his comments came as Italy’s populist government appeared to be on the verge of collapse.
On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, the most powerful politician in Italy, called for parliament to be dissolved and asked President Sergio Mattarella to order snap elections that could make Italy’s government lean even further right in an apparent play for power.
Mr. Salvini, who also serves as interior minister, has hammered home rhetoric that has drawn comparisons to that of President Donald Trump, calling for Italians to put Italy first and launching a crackdown on immigration.
He has banned migrant rescue ships from docking in Italy and shut down a massive migrant center in Sicily. Earlier this year, Mr. Salvini accused the captain of a humanitarian rescue ship of “an act of war” after her ship hit a police boat.
Pope Francis called for migrants to be integrated into society and said nationalism is an “attitude of isolation.” He has repeatedly expressed concern over what he sees as a rising tide of populism.
But if he’s trying to appeal to Mr. Salvini, his calls may not find a receptive audience. Mr. Salvini has openly criticized the pope, tweeting in 2016: “The pope says migrants are not a danger. Whatever!”
Migrant ship stranded
A Spanish humanitarian ship has been stuck in the Mediterranean Sea for more than a week because no European government will offer safe harbor to the 121 migrants on board, and the vessel faces a fine of up to 1 million euros if it enters Italian waters.
The Open Arms was idle for an eighth day Friday in waters off Italy’s southernmost island. The ship’s dilemma is becoming increasingly common as European governments shut their doors to migrants, led by Italy’s firebrand Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.
Open Arms founder Oscar Camps indicated that the vessel would avoid entering Italian waters without permission unless there is a humanitarian crisis on board, as allowed by international maritime law.
“Salvini can say what he wants, but maritime law and the courts will say what they have to say,” Mr. Camps said Wednesday.
Huge English blackout
Trains ground to a halt, homes went dark and cars wandered through intersections without functioning traffic lights as large swathes of London and southern England temporarily lost power Friday.
All power has now been restored, according to UK Power Networks and to Western Power Distribution, which serves power to the Midlands, the South West region and Wales.
Typhoon hits E. Asia
Typhoon Leki ma battered southern Japan and Taiwan on Friday, killing one Taipei resident, with strong winds and heavy rains disrupting transport in the region.
This year’s ninth typhoon caused the cancellation of 68 flights and 155 ferry services in Japan’s Ryukyu Islands region, while at least four people were injured in Okinawa prefecture, local newspaper Okinawa Times reported.