(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis welcomed a delegation from the Italian coastguard to Casa Santa Marta Tuesday evening, two days after a massive operation saw them rescue a record 2,000 migrants and refugees from the sea between Italy and Libya. The Pope met with the group of eight people for forty-five minutes. The Holy See press…
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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis welcomed a delegation from the Italian coastguard to Casa Santa Marta Tuesday evening, two days after a massive operation saw them rescue a record 2,000 migrants and refugees from the sea between Italy and Libya.
The Pope met with the group of eight people for forty-five minutes. The Holy See press officer, Fr. Federico Lombardi, reports that during the meeting the members of the coastguard told the Pope about their concrete experiences in a dialogue which Fr. Lombardi described as ‘moving and inspiring’.
Pope Francis in turn expressed his heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the men and women for their courageous service and dedication in favor of people in dire need.
Just two days before the meeting with the Holy Father, the Italian coastguard rescued more than 2,000 migrants in difficulty between the Italian island of Lampedusa and the Libyan coast. The worsening security situation in the North African nation has led to a new wave of men, women and children seeking to get to Europe, despite the dangers of placing themselves at the mercy of traffickers.
In fact, during the rescue operation the Italian transport ministry reported that the coastguards were threatened at gunpoint by four men who approached them by speedboat from the Libyan coast.
Only a week earlier an estimated 300 people are feared to have died when four dinghies, each carrying about 100 people, overturned during stormy weather as they attempted to make the crossing from the Libyan coast. The youngest victim was just 12 years of age.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Calling the situation in Libya “serious”, the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said action should be taken soon, “but any armed intervention must be undertaken under the framework of international law” and “under the umbrella of the United Nations.” Cardinal Parolin was speaking to reporters after attending an event marking the…
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(Vatican Radio) Calling the situation in Libya “serious”, the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said action should be taken soon, “but any armed intervention must be undertaken under the framework of international law” and “under the umbrella of the United Nations.”
Cardinal Parolin was speaking to reporters after attending an event marking the anniversary of the Lateran Pacts at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See.
He also said it was important to “re-launch a diplomatic initiative” in Libya, where competing authorities control different sections of the country, and ISIL has gained a foothold.
Cardinal Parolin also drew attention to the manner in which the 21 Coptic Christians from Egypt died when they were murdered by Islamists in Libya last week. A video of their murder revealed they calmly called on Jesus as they were killed.
Calling the incident “terrifying”, he said the manner of their death was a “true testament to the sublime.”
“We are usually today led to underline the aspect of cruelty – and it is an unspeakable cruelty – and it is unbelievable that there can be incidents like this during our time,” he said. “But, we look to the other part, the part of the witness these martyrs gave. It has always been like this in the history of the Church.”
Cardinal Parolin said he prayed that “the Lord give us the grace to die in the same way.”
The Cardinal also spoke about media reports on terrorist threats to the Vatican, and clarified there were no “specific threats” regarding the Vatican.
“This does not mean that we should not be careful and vigilant, but without falling into alarmism,” he said.
He also said he spoke with his Italian counterparts about the emergency involving migrants trying to reach Italy by crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Africa. Hundreds have died in the last week trying to make the journey.
Cardinal Parolin reminded the authorities there is a “duty of charity” on this issue, but first of all there is a “duty of justice.”
“For the Italian authorities there are international conventions to which they are obligated,” the Cardinal said. “We as a Church principally underline the charitable aspects.”
(from Vatican Radio)…