Don�t treat migrants like merchandise: Pope

AFP, TURIN: Pope Francis yesterday said migrants should not be "treated like merchandise" as he arrived in northern Italy to pray before the mysterious Shroud of Turin, believed by Christians to be the burial cloth of Jesus.
In a speech straight off the plane from the Vatican to the workers of the Piedmont region, the pontiff warned people not to blame those fleeing war and famine for economic difficulties in the recession-hit country.
Criminal networks throughout the country have been preying on refugees, exploiting them to pocket government subsidies, while the northern regions in particular have begun closing their doors to asylum seekers.
But those arriving by boat from Libya "draw tears", Francis said, adding: "If immigration increases competition (for jobs), they cannot be blamed because they are victims of injustice... and wars."
Nor should locals turn their backs on their own poor, elderly and unemployed, he said, pointing out that 10 percent of the region lives in poverty, while 40 percent of young people are jobless and the elderly feel abandoned.
"We are called to say 'no' to the idolatry of money," which pushes people to try by any means to get rich despite the crisis, "without caring for the many getting poorer, sometimes to the point of hunger," he said.
The head of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics was in the industrial city for a two-day visit which will see him spend time with the poor, sick and marginalised, including prisoners and migrants.
On the Argentine pontiff's first pastoral visit to northern Italy, Francis -- whose father grew up there -- was met by crowds of enthusiastic faithful, before making his way to the city's cathedral where the shroud is on display.

Don�t treat migrants like merchandise: Pope

AFP, TURIN: Pope Francis yesterday said migrants should not be treated like merchandise as he arrived in northern Italy to pray before the mysterious Shroud of Turin, believed by Christians to be the burial cloth of Jesus. In a speech straight off the plane from the Vatican to the workers of the Piedmont region, the pontiff warned people not to blame those fleeing war and famine for economic difficulties in the recession-hit country. Criminal networks throughout the country have been preying on refugees, exploiting them to pocket government subsidies, while the northern regions in particular have begun closing their doors to asylum seekers. But those arriving by boat from Libya draw tears, Francis said, adding: If immigration increases competition (for jobs), they cannot be blamed because they are victims of injustice... and wars. Nor should locals turn their backs on their own poor, elderly and unemployed, he said, pointing out that 10 percent of the region lives in poverty, while 40 percent of young people are jobless and the elderly feel abandoned. We are called to say no to the idolatry of money, which pushes people to try by any means to get rich despite the crisis, without caring for the many getting poorer, sometimes to the point of hunger, he said. The head of the worlds 1.2 billion Catholics was in the industrial city for a two-day visit which will see him spend time with the poor, sick and marginalised, including prisoners and migrants. On the Argentine pontiffs first pastoral visit to northern Italy, Francis -- whose father grew up there -- was met by crowds of enthusiastic faithful, before making his way to the citys cathedral where the shroud is on display.