Child migrants should be ‘welcomed and protected’
In a letter read at a Vatican conference in Mexico City on human migration and development, Francis says migration “has now become a hallmark of our society and a challenge.” The Pope says immigrants:
continue to be the subject of racist and xenophobic attitudes…Many people forced to emigrate suffer, and often die, tragically; many of their rights are violated, they are obliged to separate from their families and, unfortunately, continue to be the subject of racist and xenophobic attitudes.
‘Iraqi leaders must talk’
During the weekly mass at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis asks the Iraqi leaders to use dialogue to avoid any further warfare in the region.
The news from Iraq is unfortunately very saddening. I join the bishops from that country in calling on the rulers to preserve national unity and avoid war through dialogue. I express my closeness to the thousands of families, especially the Christian ones, who have had to leave their homes and are in serious danger. Violence generates more violence. Dialogue is the only path to peace. Let’s pray to the Virgin Mary to look after the Iraqi people.
Excommunicates Italian Mafia
Francis announces that Italian Mafia members are excommunicated and no longer a part of the Catholic Church. Excommunication excludes Catholics from the church and can be imposed by church authorities for serious offenses. No Pope has ever discussed the issue of excommunication and the Mafia.
Those who in their life have gone along the evil ways, as in the case of the Mafia, they are not with God, they are excommunicated.