afrol News, 1 September - Pope Benedict XVI has been disturbed by tragedies faced by illegal migrants in search for greener pastures, and urged migrants' homelands to do away with criminal groups involved in illegal migration.

Addressing pilgrims from many parts of the world at his traditional Sunday noon appearance in Italy, Pope Benedict, described migration as "an emergency", considering the high number of people dying as they try to sail through Europe by sea.

"Migration is a phenomenon which has existed from the dawn of humanity, and has always been a feature of the relations between peoples and nations," he said at his Castel Gandolfo resident, adding that the menace "requires effective political responses."

He said the one that occurred just few days ago appears to have surpassed previous ones in terms of the number of victims.

"The emergency which it has now become calls for our attention, and whilst it spurs our solidarity, it also requires a proper political response. I know that many at the regional, national and international levels are involved in finding a solution to the issue of irregular migration. I applaud and encourage them so that they might continue in their worthy action responsibly and in a humanitarian spirit."

He said a sense of responsibility must also be shown by the countries of origin, not only because their citizens are involved, but also to remove the causes of irregular migration, as well as to eradicate, at the roots, all forms of criminality linked to it.

“In these last few weeks, news coverage of irregular immigration from Africa shows a rise. Often crossing the Mediterranean to the European continent, seen as a place of hope where one can flee bad and often unbearable situations, turns into tragedy."

Migrants’ countries of origin must also show a sense of responsibility, not only because the people involved are their citizens but also because they must work to remove the causes of irregular migration as well as suppress at the roots all connected forms of criminal activity, he advised.

Pope Benedict urged European countries and countries of immigration to develop joint initiatives and build joint structures that are more appropriate to the needs of irregular migrants.

However, he told migrants to be aware that they must protect their precious and unique lives against the "very grave risks" and respect the law.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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