Pope: Nations must protect those who must flee

Pope Francis says he hopes governments can reach agreements that assure protection for those forced to flee homelands.

Francis tells the faithful in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday that such accords should aim for “safe migration.”

The pontiff expresses hopes that governments intent on reaching a “World Pact on Refugees” this year can “reach an agreement to assure, with responsibility and humanity, assistance and protection for those forced to leave their lands” due to conflict and persecution.

He says all people are called upon to value refugees’ contributions “so that they can be better fit into the communities that receive them.” Francis adds that “mutual respect” will lead to solutions for the issues involved with migration.

— AP