Pope Leo XIV stated this Thursday that states have the right to establish rules at their borders, but he warned that when migrants arrive, they must be treated as human beings and not worse than animals, according to journalist Eva Fernández on her social media, reported RTVE.
The pontiff made these statements during the press conference held aboard the papal plane, on his return to Rome after his apostolic trip to Africa.
León XIV emphasized that migration is a global phenomenon that cannot be addressed solely from a national or regional perspective.
The pope recognized the sovereignty of countries to manage their borders, but insisted that this authority cannot justify inhumane treatment of people fleeing poverty, violence, or climate change.
His words come at a time of intense political debate in Europe and America regarding immigration policies.
The apostolic journey to Africa concluded with a mass attended by 30,000 faithful at the Malabo stadium, where León XIV bid farewell to the African continent with an emotional message of hope and solidarity.
The context of these statements takes on special significance ahead of the first visit of a pope to Spain since the World Youth Day in 2011, scheduled for next June, reported El País.
During this trip, the pope plans to meet with migrants and social entities to raise awareness of this humanitarian drama.
The papal visit to Spain also coincides with the ongoing debate in that country regarding an extraordinary immigration regularization process that would benefit over 500,000 people who already reside in Spanish territory, a measure that has generated both support and political controversy.
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