The Diocese of Tucson is encouraging their parishioners, as well as the entire Catholic Church, to heed the words of Pope Francis from when he visited a refugee camp in Greece. 

The Pope visited the migrant camp on Lesbos over the weekend and spoke to those there about the value of human life. 

“The Pope’s message to the Catholic Church in Greece is precious for everyone,” the Synod Diocese of Tucson posted on Facebook, referencing some of Pope Francis’ words toward the refugees and those in positions of power. 

“The future will be prosperous only if it is reconciled with those who are the weakest. When we reject the poor, we reject peace. History teaches us that narrow self-interest and nationalism lead to disastrous consequences. Let’s look at the faces of the children. They challenge and ask us: ‘What kind of world do you want to give us?’ Let’s not hastily turn away from the shocking pictures of their tiny bodies lying lifeless on the beaches. Let’s stop this shipwreck of civilization,” Pope Francis stated, according to Twitter. 

According to Reuters, between 2015 and 2016, over one million individuals fled Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, traveling through Turkey to reach Greece. However, in 2019, more stringent immigration policies came to the nation of Greece, making it harder for immigrants to come into the country, though refugee-seekers are continuing to arrive. 

The Pope has been critical of immigration policies at the southern border of the U.S. and called on Trump to not continue separating children from their parents at the border. He also spoke out against the border wall in 2019. 

While the Catholic Church acknowledges that nations have a right to protect their borders, it also calls on nations to recognize the dignity of the individual and to give proper value to their human rights.