Pope Leo calls for action on ‘tragic drama’ of migration

Pope Leo calls for action on ‘tragic drama’ of migration
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Pope Leo XIV called for a global response to the “tragic drama” of migration and said world peace was a “true global imperative” in an unprecedented address to the Spanish parliament on Monday.

In his address to parliament, he called for “safe and legal pathways” for immigration and for migrants to be given “a respectful welcome and real opportunities for integration.”

In contrast with many of its European allies, Spain under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has a relatively liberal immigration policy.

But the government is under pressure on the issue from the main conservative Popular Party and from far-right party Vox, now the nation’s third-largest political force.

The pope’s seven-day visit to Spain will include a trip to the Canary Islands. The Spanish archipelago has become one of the main entry points for irregular migrants into Europe.

The pope also called for “patient dialogue” instead of conflict and rearmament in Europe and beyond.

The visit will conclude on Thursday and Friday in the Canary Islands, where the pope will be joined by Sanchez.