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Francis made his comments in his message for the Roman Catholic
Church's annual World Day of Migrants and Refugees, whose title
this year is "Free to Choose Whether to Migrate or to Stay".
He called for a "shared commitment" to manage migration, with
politicians in countries of origin implementing "transparent,
honest and farsighted" policies and rich countries shunning any
form of "economic colonialism" that exploits the natural
resources of poorer countries.
"Persecutions, wars, atmospheric phenomena and dire poverty are
among the most visible causes of forced migrations today.
Migrants flee because of poverty, fear or desperation," Francis
said, calling on countries to work together to eliminate the
causes.
Francis, who has made defence of migrants and refugees a major
part of his 10-year-old pontificate, said the aim of
international cooperation should be to establish the right not
to be forced to emigrate. He did not mention any countries.
"Even as we work to ensure that in every case migration is the
fruit of a free decision, we are called to show maximum respect
for the dignity of each migrant; this entails accompanying and
managing waves of migration as best we can, constructing bridges
and not walls, expanding channels for a safe and regular
migration," he wrote.
Migrants have been massing in Mexico near various parts of the
border with the United States - many of them unsure about when,
or how, to cross. Drone footage showed large crowds gathering at
the border fence by El Paso, Texas, across from Ciudad Juarez,
Mexico.
Thousands are crossing before a new regulation takes effect that
could bar most who cross illegally from seeking asylum in the
United States.
(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Gareth Jones)
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