Cardinal Veglio denounces remarks critical of Roma people

(Vatican Radio) The President of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itienrants, Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, has called comments by the leader of Italy’s Northern League political party, Matteo Salvini, regarding Roma people, “absurd” and “stupid”.

Cardinal Veglio said Salvini took what he called “an extreme position” when the politician said that he would raze Roma camps to the ground, adding that he considered the Lega Nord secretary’s remarks to be a case of political grandstanding.

Italy’s ANSA news agency ran the story with Salvini’s remarks and Cardinal Veglio’s response yesterday – April 8th, International Roma Day, celebrated each year since 1990 on that day, to highlight positive aspects of Romani culture and raise awareness of the issues facing Roma, or Romani, people.