Pope Francis says Catholics in Europe must help refugees

Pope Francis has said that every Catholic parish in Europe should take in some of the tens of thousands of refugees currently coming into the continent.

The refugee crisis has been described as the worst since World War II. Bloody conflict and persecution in the Middle East and North Africa has caused massive displacement. Thousands of people have drowned at sea while attempting to cross the Mediterranean into Europe.

The refugees have been welcomed in some countries, but others have turned their backs. Hungary’s prime minister, for instance, has said he wants to preserve Europe’s Christian identity.

The Pope, however, painted a different picture of the responsibilities he thinks Christians have.

Speaking in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, the Pope said that it was not enough to tell the refugees to “hang in there,” but that Catholics must actively assist them.

“May every parish, every religious community, every monastery, every sanctuary of Europe host a family, starting from my diocese of Rome,” he said. “The two parishes in the Vatican these days will welcome two families of refugees.”

Watch video of the Pope’s remarks below: