Pope Francis is continuing his push for open-border policies, using a trip to the Italian island of Lampedusa to lecture European leaders on their duty to accommodate the ongoing surge of migrants.
While the European Union and individual nations like Italy and the UK have finally begun implementing tougher border controls and detention powers to stem the tide of illegal crossings, the Pope is calling for a 'comprehensive' approach that prioritizes the integration of arrivals over national sovereignty.
The pontiff, who has consistently criticized efforts to secure borders as 'inhuman,' framed the illegal crossing of the Mediterranean as a 'momentous challenge' that Europe is obligated to solve through increased support and relief.
Despite the clear risks inherent in the dangerous sea journeys undertaken by migrants, the Pope’s rhetoric ignores the necessity of deterrence and the strain placed on host nations. His visit to the Lampedusa migrant reception center, which remains overcrowded, serves as a platform to demand that Western nations bear the burden of global migration patterns.
This stance puts the Vatican at direct odds with the growing movement across the West to prioritize the rule of law and the security of citizens over the demands of those entering countries illegally.
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