Pope Francis condemned EU leaders efforts to shut out refugees.

[pnwmom]

Imagine how he must be reacting to Donald Trump's plans for the US.

This is a key issue that is probably behind the swing of Catholic voters away from Trump.

https://thinkprogress.org/in-powerful-speech-pope-francis-condemns-eu-leaders-efforts-to-shut-out-refugees-c990c573a25e#.656wb3e67

Pope Francis criticized the “self interests” prompting European Union leaders to enforce stringent immigration policies that shut out desperate refugees during his acceptance speech for the Charlemagne Prize — an award to promote European unification — on Friday.

In remarks reminiscent of the structure of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I have a dream” speech, the pope called on leaders to embrace the vision of Europe’s founders and open up their borders to displaced people fleeing unrest in their home countries.

“I dream of a Europe where being a migrant is not a crime, but a summons to a greater commitment on behalf of the dignity of every human being,” Francis said. “I dream of a Europe that promotes and protects the rights of everyone, without neglecting its duties toward all. I dream of a Europe of which it will not be said that its commitment to human rights was its last utopia.”

“We, the heirs of their dream, are tempted to yield to our own selfish interests and to consider putting up fences here and there,” Francis continued. Today, more than ever, he added, “their vision inspires us to build bridges and tear down walls.”

SNIP

[C_U_L8R]

1. Wonder what the Pope thinks of Trump's anti-immigrant speech

And all his phony Christian supporters.

[pnwmom]

2. In February Francis was asked about Trump and he said:

“A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian."

[msongs]

3. so how many refugees has the vatican taken in did he say? nt

[True Dough]

4. I'm not a Catholic

but here's your answer:

ROME-Nine Syrian refugees were flown to Rome by the Vatican on Thursday, adding to the five families that have been relocated to the Italian city. The group, including two Christians, flew from Greece where they were living in the Kara Tepe refugee camp in the island of Lesbos.

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2016/06/17/vatican-settles-nine-syrian-refugees-rome/


More importantly, Pope Frankie has brought a lot of attention to the refugee crisis and the need for help. That's much more than can be said for Drumpf.

[pnwmom]

6. And not only is Drumpf not helping, he's scapegoating a vulnerable minority. n/t

[pnwmom]

5. Besides the Vatican taking in some refugees, Pope Francis has called on every parish in Europe

to do so.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/refugees-keep-streaming-into-europe-as-crisis-continues-unabated/2015/09/06/8a330572-5345-11e5-b225-90edbd49f362_story.html

MUNICH — Issuing a broad appeal to Europe’s Catholics, Pope Francis on Sunday called on “every” parish, religious community, monastery and sanctuary to take in one refugee family — an appeal that, if honored, would offer shelter to tens of thousands.