Pope Benedict XVI has denounced the riots that have torn southern Italy over the last few days, and called for residents in the Calabrian town of Rosarno to recognise that migrant workers have equal rights.
‘Let there never be violence in the name of God,’ he said, adding that migrants are to be respected and are equally loved by God.
Speaking at the end of his traditional noon blessing today, Benedict dedicated the bulk of his comments to the situation in Rosarno, where hundreds of African migrant workers went on a rampage after two migrants were wounded in a shooting.
At least three dozen people were injured in two days of clashes between the migrants, police and residents.
The pope said immigrants to Italy were looking for a better life in a country that needs them, yet they run the risk of exploitation because of their status.
Many illegal immigrants in Italy work for a pittance and live in wretched conditions.
Benedict said everyone should ‘look in the face of others and discover that there is a soul, a history, a life, a person who God loves as He loves me’.
The violence had largely subsided by today, and many of the hundreds of frightened and angry migrants have either been bused out of the area, housed in shelters or left on their own via trains or cars.
The attacks have underscored the simmering tensions between immigrants and Italians, many of whom resent the foreigners yet rely on their labour to do the agricultural, domestic or factory work that many Italians refuse to do.
‘Every migrant is a human being – different because of provenance, culture and tradition – but a person to be respected and having rights, particularly in work, where the temptation to exploit is easy,’ Benedict said.
He also denounced the recourse to riot: ‘Violence must never, for anyone, be the way to resolve differences.’
The pontiff made the remarks after baptizing 14 babies in the Sistine Chapel in an annual ritual.
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I thought the Pope was a Hun AND a catholic!?
the pope is CEO of the multinational corporate business,called “catholic church”. they started up with a donkey and ended up in a multibillion business.
now al gore with his “climatology church” is in direct competition,LOL.
Aaaahahahahahaha!!!! Vlad you made me laugh but I think you’re right! This is nothing more than just business. It’s not about God or true faith anymore, it’s about money.
i’m glad i made you laugh,jeff.
this f…n’ church burnt people alive,kept them in dark and now they dare to teach others about love and tollerance?
better, they sell off all their assets and buy a place in Heaven as Jesus told them to do.
never mind, i laughed when a chap told Bush senior to f*** off (youtube video).
They didnt start with a donkey. The Christian church is the Roman Empire with a different face. So it was already a multibillion business since the begining.
Vitor,roman catholic is self proclaimed “christian” church first of all.
James,you could skip my question. I’ve got your answer from a previous post.Thx.
James,the pope is a saxon. what is your say about?