(September 1, 2008) Migration has become an emergency in our times, and one that
demands solidarity and effective political solutions, says Pope Benedict XVI. He said
this Sunday, as he commented on the deaths this week of some 70 would-be immigrants
off the coast of Malta, said to be one of the worst such incidents recorded in the
country. According to news reports, 78 would-be illegal African immigrants set sail
from Libya on Aug. 21. The small boat found itself in the middle of a storm and capsized.
Maltese fishermen rescued eight survivors on Tuesday. Authorities have found only
three bodies, but according to the survivors, four women are among the dead, including
three who were pregnant. After reciting the midday Angelus with several thousand people
gathered in the courtyard of the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, the Holy
Father said the tragedy "seemed to surpass previous incidents in terms of the number
of victims" "Migration is a phenomenon that has been present from the dawn of human
history, and it has always, for this reason, characterized the relations between peoples
and nations," he said. "The emergency that migration has become in our times, nevertheless,
calls out to us and, while it solicits our solidarity, demands, at the same time,
effective political answers.” The Pontiff applauded the humanitarian work of various
regional, national and international institutions that are addressing the problem
of irregular migration.