Sunday, January 14, 2007

Immigrants are a resource, not a problem - Pope


Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithful during the Angelus prayer from his private apartment at the Vatican January 14, 2007. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
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Sun Jan 14, 2007 1:22 PM GMT

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict urged the world on Sunday to see more than 200 million immigrants as a resource rather than a problem, whose integration can be accelerated by mutual respect.

"Dear friends, the reality of migration should never only be seen as a problem, but also, above all, as a great resource to help humanity along its path," the pontiff said, noting that Sunday was the annual World Day for Migrants and Refugees.

Speaking to pilgrims at the Vatican in his regular Sunday address, the Pope cited U.N. data saying there are 200 million economic migrants in the world as well as nine million refugees, two million international students and many more displaced in their own countries or immigrants without legal status.

He said immigrant families -- especially women and children -- should receive legislative, legal and practical assistance to legalise their status, as well as social and pastoral care.

"Only respect for the human dignity of all migrants, on the one hand, and recognition by migrants themselves of their host society's values, on the other hand, can make it possible to integrate these families properly ... ," the Pope said.

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