The Pope, on the plane: "The Mediterranean is a cemetery but the biggest cemetery is North Africa"

ROMA, 6 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Pope Francis has warned that "the Mediterranean is a cemetery" but "the biggest cemetery is North Africa" ​​and has referred, specifically, to the situation in the desert between Tunisia and Libya, where migrants have been abandoned for let them die He said so this Sunday on the flight back to Rome, after the World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon.

In a press conference with the journalists on the plane, the Pope explained that for this reason he is going to travel to Marseilles from September 22 to 23 for the conclusion of the 'Mediterranean Meetings', in which Catholic bishops from 30 Mediterranean countries will reflect on the tragedy of migrants.

"The Mediterranean is a cemetery, but it is not the biggest cemetery. The biggest cemetery is North Africa. This is terrible, read it. I am going to Marseille for this. Last week, President Macron told me that he intends to to come to Marseilles and I will be (there) a day and a half", the Pontiff specified, while recommending reading a small book, 'Hermanito', written by a migrant who arrived in Spain from Guinea and who was captured, tortured and enslaved.

Francisco has warned that in North Africa there are "concentration camps", something "terrible", and has indicated that last week the Mediterranean Saving Humans association was carrying out rescue work for migrants who were in the desert between Tunisia and Libya, "because they had been left there to die."

On why he did not mention the war in Ukraine during the prayer in the chapel of the Fatima apparitions, the Pontiff has assured that he prayed "for peace" but "without advertising".

Regarding the abuses, the Pope pointed out that, during his visit to Lisbon, he privately received a group of victims and they spoke "of this terrible plague."

In the Church, as he acknowledged, "more or less the same behavior that is currently followed in families and neighborhoods was followed: one covers oneself", but he added that the Church has become aware, especially "from the Boston scandal", although they have yet to "mature".

"We still have to mature and help discover these things. Since the Boston scandal, the Church has become aware that it was not possible to go along random paths, but that the bull had to be taken by the horns", he stressed, insisting on "zero tolerance" against abuses and the assumption of "responsibilities" by pastors.

Specifically, regarding the case of Portugal, he has ensured that the process "is going well, with serenity" and has specified that "the numbers sometimes end up being exaggerated, partly due to the comments" that are made.

Along these lines, the Pope has also taken the opportunity to warn of child sexual abuse that can be accessed from any telephone. "This enters our homes and child sexual abuse is filmed live. Where are you filming? Who are responsible? This is one of the most serious plagues," he added, while also warning of other types of abuses such as child labor or the cutting of the clitoris of girls, which he has described as "cruelty".

Regarding the fact that he improvised in most of his speeches, Francisco clarified that in the Serafina Parish Center he interrupted the speech because the light prevented him from reading; and as for the subsequent meetings, he explained that it is because he does not want "academic homilies" but rather seeks "communication", with some "jokes" and "questions", especially with young people because "they do not have much attention span ".

On the other hand, asked if it is not an inconsistency to say that the Church is open to all, when for example homosexuals cannot receive all the sacraments, the Pope clarified that "the Church is open to all" but "then there are laws that regulate life within the Church".

"The one who is inside is according to the legislation... What you say is a simplification of saying: 'He cannot perform the sacraments'. This does not mean that the Church is closed. Each one finds God in his own way within the Church ", he specified.

In any case, he has pointed out that homosexual people are also within that "everyone". "For this to ask a question: why not homosexuals? All! And the Lord is clear: sick, healthy, old and young, ugly and beautiful, good and bad. There is a look that does not understand this insertion of the Church as a mother and thinks of it as a kind of company that to enter you have to do this, do it this way and not another", he explained.

Likewise, the Pontiff has shown his concern about youth suicide. "I'm not saying it's an everyday thing, but it's a problem. It's a current problem. It's something that happens," he warned. He has also recognized that "young people do not always lead a moral life" but has asked: "Who among us has not made a moral mistake in his life? Everyone!".