Pope Francis on Thursday condemned “aggressive” nationalism that rejects migrants during his annual message for migrants and refugees.
The pope said the church should not distinguish between “natives and foreigners, residents and guests,” The Associated Press reported.
He called on Catholics to act “catholic” in the universal sense, adding that migrants and refugees enrich the faith.
“Ours must be a personal and collective commitment that cares for all our brothers and sisters who continue to suffer,” Pope Francis said. “A commitment that makes no distinction between natives and foreigners, residents and guests, since it is a matter of a treasure we hold in common.”
He added that the universal “we” was crumbling due to “aggressive forms of nationalism and radical individualism.”
Last week, the pope spoke about the assumed deaths of more than 130 migrants whose boat sank in the Mediterranean Sea earlier in April, calling it a “moment of shame” for those who could have intervened and helped.
“One hundred and thirty migrants died in the sea. They are persons, human lives, who for two entire days implored in vain for help, help that didn’t arrive,″ he said. “Let us pray for these brothers and sisters, let us interrogate all of ourselves about this latest tragedy. It is a moment of shame.”