Pope Francis condemns politicians who spread violence and racism over immigration

'Those who, for what may be political reasons, foment fear of migrants instead of building peace are sowing violence, racial discrimination and xenophobia,' says pontiff

The pontiff made a renewed plea for an open door policy towards migrants (AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis has condemned politicians who propagate alarm over immigration and argued their fear-mongering engenders violence and racism.

The pontiff, who has frequently spoken out in defence of migrants, issued a plea for politicians to “practice the virtue of prudence” to welcome refugees into their societies and help them integrate.

Writing in a message titled “Migrants and Refugees: Men and Women in Search of Peace” which was sent to heads of state and government, Pope Francis said trepidation about immigrants “demeans the human dignity due to all as sons and daughters of God”.

The pontiff said: “Those who, for what may be political reasons, foment fear of migrants instead of building peace are sowing violence, racial discrimination and xenophobia, which are matters of great worry for all those concerned about the safety of every human being.”

Pope Francis, who has clashed with President Trump on immigration, said that while immigrants can “compound numerous existing problems”, leaders have to find ways to integrate them into their countries.

Francis said that while immigrants can “compound numerous existing problems,” the onus is on leaders finding ways to welcome and integrate them into their countries.

“By practising the virtue of prudence, government leaders should take practical measures to welcome, promote, protect, integrate and, within the limits allowed by a correct understanding of the common good, to permit (them) to become part of a new society,” he said.

The pontiff made a renewed plea for an open door policy towards migrants and denounced a “spread of rhetoric that emphasises the risks posed to national security or the high cost of welcoming new arrivals”.

“Many destination countries have seen the spread of rhetoric decrying the risks posed to national security or the high cost of welcoming new arrivals, and doing so demeans the human dignity due to all as sons and daughters of God,” he wrote.

He added: “Those who, for what may be political reasons, foment fear of migrants instead of building peace are sowing violence, racial discrimination, and xenophobia, which are matters of great worry for all those concerned about the safety of every human being”.

The comments come after Pope Francis called on world leaders to do more to help refugees and migrants over the summer in a plea to put pressure on politicians to improve what he called the “lamentable” situation facing people fleeing conflict.

He said states must also do more to help refugees into work and education and called for wealthier nations to support developing countries that are dealing with the brunt of the refugee crisis.

Additional reporting by agencies