Pope Francis returned to the topic of immigration Tuesday, praising officials in North Macedonia for their warm welcome to migrants.
On the last day of his apostolic visit to the Balkans, the pope told authorities he wanted to recognize the “generous efforts” made by North Macedonia
“to welcome and provide assistance to the great number of migrants and refugees coming from different Middle Eastern countries,” a welcome provided both by State authorities as well as various international agencies,
including the Red Cross, Caritas, and several NGOs.
“Fleeing from war or from conditions of dire poverty often caused precisely by grave outbreaks of violence, in the years 2015 and 2016, they crossed your borders, headed for the most part towards northern and western Europe,”
the pope said. “With you, they found a secure haven,” he added.