Pope Visits Marseille to Address Migration Issue; Europe’s Readiness to Listen Uncertain Amid Refugee Crisis

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A decade after Pope Francis journeyed to the Italian island of Lampedusa to extend his support to migrants, he is now convening with Mediterranean Catholic bishops in France to reinforce this collective call. However, as European governments urgently seek ways to curb the recent surge of migrants from Africa, it remains to be seen if their corridors of power will be receptive to the Pope’s message.

Scheduled well in advance, Francis’ brief sojourn to Marseille, a French port city, coincides with renewed focus on Europe’s migration crisis. This spotlight has been intensified by the recent arrival of nearly 7,000 migrants on the shores of Lampedusa within a single day, temporarily exceeding the island’s permanent resident count.

The latest influx has rekindled debate and calls for solidarity among European nations, alongside considerations of implementing a naval blockade to deter migrant departures—a strategy Pope Francis has previously denounced, arguing that the European Union-funded repatriation of migrants to Libya subjects them to conditions akin to modern concentration camps.

For the Pope, the harrowing sights of overcrowded refugee centers in Lampedusa affirm the need for a cooperative approach to migration. He has emphasized that a future grounded in fraternity requires elevating human dignity and prioritizing the most vulnerable.

From his inaugural 2013 visit to Lampedusa to subsequent high-profile actions, Francis has remained steadfast in spotlighting the migrant issue, advocating for a framework of welcome, protection, promotion, and integration. The last element acknowledges the realistic boundaries governments face in assimilating newcomers effectively.

According to Cardinal Michael Czerny, the Vatican’s chief authority on migration, the Pope’s message accentuates that the Mediterranean is a collective responsibility, a point he feels is largely overlooked.

In Marseille, a city known for its ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity but also marked by crime and social challenges, Francis will engage with around 60 bishops from various Mediterranean regions. The setting of Marseille is purposeful; the city’s rich history of migration and tolerance contrasts with its present-day struggles, such as high unemployment and limited access to social services.

Camille Le Coz, of the Migration Policy Institute’s Europe office, describes Marseille as a complicated locale that encapsulates both France’s diversity and its challenges.

President Emmanuel Macron will join the Pope during this visit. Macron’s government has adopted a stringent outlook on migration issues, seeking to bolster EU borders and expedite deportations. The current political climate in France, combined with its tradition of secularism, casts doubt on whether the Pope’s call will find a responsive audience.

Jeffery Crisp, of Oxford University’s Refugee Studies Centre, suggests that while the Pope has moral authority, its conversion into political pressure is uncertain. Nonetheless, Crisp believes that the situation would likely have worsened without the Pope’s involvement.

A group of young men from South Sudan, en route from Lampedusa to France, expresses the hope that their plight will not go unheard. After several nights under a highway overpass in Rome, a non-profit organization provided them with bus tickets to Marseille, with plans to disembark before reaching French police checkpoints.

As Europe grapples with these complex migration issues, the question remains: Will political leaders heed the call for a more humane approach, or will they prioritize restrictive measures?

This news coverage is provided by Big Big News in collaboration with The Conversation US, supported by funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP bears sole responsibility for the content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pope Francis Marseille visit

More about Pope Francis Marseille visit

• Pope Francis’ Advocacy for Migrants
• Current European Migration Crisis
• Emmanuel Macron’s Migration Policies
• Marseille: A City of Contrasts
• Vatican’s Stance on Migration
• Cardinal Michael Czerny on Migration
• History of Migration in France
• International Human Rights Principles and Migration
• The Concept of Collective Responsibility