Pope Francis said Wednesday that he does not like using the expression “migrants” and prefers instead to speak of “migrant people,” since this better underscores their humanity.
Reflecting on his recent visit to Morocco, the pope told pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for his weekly audience that he had focused on the issue of migrants during his trip,
both in meeting with the Moroccan authorities and especially in meeting with the migrants themselves.
“Some of them testified that the lives of those who emigrate changes and goes back to being human when they find a community that welcomes them as a person. This is fundamental,” he said.
“The Church in Morocco is very committed to being close to migrants,” Francis said, before departing from his prepared text to speak off-the-cuff.