Pope decries indifference towards refugees

Many migrants and refugees from conflicts throughout the world attended Mass in St Peter’s Square on Sunday

Pope Francis (L) attends the unveiling of a sculpture called "Angels Unaware" by Canadian sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz depicting a group of 140 migrants of various cultures and from different  historic times, following a mass for World Day of Migrants and Refugees on September 29, 2019 at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.  The sculpture is inspired by the passage from the Letter to the Hebrews "Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels".  / AFP / POOL / Vincenzo PINTO
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Pope Francis has decried the "culture of comfort” that has lead to indifference in the face of a global migration and refugee crisis.

The Pope said on Sunday during a Mass for the World Day for Migrants and Refugees that the world "cannot be indifferent to the tragedy of old and new forms of poverty, to the bleak isolation, contempt and discrimination experienced by those who do not belong to ‘our group.’”

He said the weapons that fuel wars are often produced and sold in other regions “which are then unwilling to take in the refugees generated buy these conflicts.”

Many migrants and refugees from conflicts throughout the world attended the Mass in St Peter’s Square, which closed with the unveiling of a bronze statue depicting migrants packed on a boat.