Pope appeals for 'lasting solutions' to migrants stuck in Libya camps

 VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis lashed out at those responsible for migrants stuck in “real concentration camps” in Libya at the end of his weekly address in St. Peter’s square Sunday.

 After the Angelus, the pontiff spoke of “the thousands of migrants, refugees and others in need of protection in Libya." He empathised with them directly, saying, “I never forget you; I hear your cries and pray for you.”

 The pope then appealed “once again” for “the international community to keep their promises to seek common, concrete and lasting solutions for the management of migratory flows in Libya and throughout the Mediterranean.”

 He continued, “the return of migrants to unsafe countries must be stopped and priority given to the rescue of human lives at sea with life-saving equipment and reliable places to disembark. We must guarantee them dignified living conditions, alternatives to detention, regular migration paths and access to asylum procedures.”

 “Let us all feel responsible for these brothers and sisters of ours, who for too many years have been victims of this very serious situation.”

 

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