Pope Francis has urged Italians to help migrants as they go about in a general election, which is expected to bring an anti-immigration rightwing coalition into power.
The pope said at the end of an open-air mass in the southern Italian city of Matera that Sunday coincided with the World Day of Migrants and Refugees by the Catholic Church. He told the assembled faithful that migrants are to be welcomed, accompanied, promoted and integrated.
Let us renew our commitment to build the future in accordance with God's plan: a future in which migrants and refugees may live in peace and with dignity. Francis made no direct reference to the election, but his message rang loud and clear throughout the country as millions of Italians queued to elect a new government.
May the Kingdom of God be realised with them, without exclusion, said the pope. We can thank these brothers and sisters as they can help our communities grow and flourish economically, culturally and spiritually. The pope has criticised far-right parties for their anti-migration stances. Francis has previously criticised former US president Donald Trump and the new culture of defending territories by building walls that have brought so many headaches and so much suffering. He has also urged Hungary to extend its arms towards everyone in an apparent veiled criticism of Viktor Orb's anti-migrant policies.
Last year, Francis attacked Europe, citing its indifference and cynical disregard, while people continue to die during sea crossings, after visiting Lesbos, the Greek island long at the centre of Europe's refugee crisis.
Francis asked Italians to have more children on Sunday. He said I d like to ask Italy: more births, more children. Italy has one of the lowest birth rates in the world and Francis has often lamented its demographic winter. The 85-year-old Francis appeared tired during the visit, which was scheduled before Italy's snap elections were called and came a day after he made a separate trip to the Umbrian hilltop town of Assisi. Francis has been using a wheelchair and a cane this year because of strained knee ligaments that make walking and standing difficult.