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Pope Francis goes to Malta this weekend, aiming to attract consideration to Europe’s migration problem that has solely grow to be extra stark with the struggle in Ukraine
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis headed to the Mediterranean island nation of Malta on Saturday for a pandemic-delayed weekend go to, aiming to attract consideration to Europe’s migration problem that has solely grow to be extra stark with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Francis is more likely to encourage Europe’s embrace of Ukrainian refugees whereas additionally urging nations to increase the identical welcome to migrants coming from Libya and elsewhere.
Francis used a wheelchair elevate to board the ITA plane reasonably than take the steps, an indication that his painful knees had been bothering him. It was the primary time he has used the elevator and was a sign that the irritation has gotten worse.
Malta, the European Union’s smallest nation with a half-million folks, has lengthy been on the entrance traces of the stream of migrants and refugees throughout the Mediterranean. It has regularly referred to as upon its greater European neighbors to shoulder extra of the burden receiving would-be refugees.
Francis has regularly echoed that decision, and will definitely hyperlink it this weekend to the welcome the Maltese as soon as gave the Apostle Paul, who based on the biblical account, was shipwrecked off Malta in round A.D. 60 whereas en path to Rome and was proven uncommon kindness by the islanders.
The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, stated migration will high the agenda for Francis’ journey and stated Europe’s reception of Ukrainian refugees was “really admirable.”
“I hope that this tragic expertise may also actually assist to develop, to extend sensitivity additionally in direction of the opposite migration, the one which comes from the south,” he informed Vatican Media.
Though brief, the two-day go to was already going to be difficult for the 85-year-old Francis, who has had rising hassle strolling as a result of an infected ligament in his proper knee. He has struggled in current days to face up from his chair and climb stairs, and his limping gait from sciatica has appeared extra pronounced.
Whereas he was ready to make use of the elevator to board the airplane, Francis is because of board a catamaran Saturday afternoon for a crusing journey to the island of Gozo, and on Sunday plans to descend the steps into the Grotto of St. Paul in Rabat.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated the elevator was determined upon up to now day to keep away from subjecting the pontiff to pointless pressure. He instructed the same measure was anticipated in Valletta.
Francis had been as a result of go to Malta in Could 2020, however postponed the go to after the coronavirus pandemic hit. The rescheduled journey comes because the Catholic Church within the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is getting ready for its first in-person Easter Week celebrations in two years.
Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna, who can also be a high Vatican official, requested for prayers for the go to, not least due to Francis’ catamaran journey Saturday.
“That needs to be beautiful if he has the correct climate for it, however the final two weekends earlier than the pope’s journey have been an unmitigated catastrophe weather-wise,” Scicluna informed The Related Press. “So we pray for one thing we can’t set up: the climate.”
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Related Press faith protection receives help by means of the AP’s collaboration with The Dialog US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely liable for this content material.
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