Pope Francis told a meeting with migrant reception operators Friday that the "words of a war leader or prophet are not enough to reassure us unless we feel the presence of God".
"Closing in on ourselves is a sign of defeat and increases our fears towards 'the other', the unknown people, the marginalised, the strangers," he said.
Fear is the source of "slavery and all dictatorships," the pope added.
He called on people to "overcome their fear of those who are seeking protection".
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