Deputy Premier and Interior Minister
Matteo Salvini said Monday that his tough stance on stopping the
flow of migrants from North Africa was saving lives rather than
putting people in danger.
"There have only been two deaths at sea in 2019," Salvini
told La7 television.
"The figures show Salvini is a good Christian".
The UNHCR has estimated 402 people have died or gone missing
at sea this year.
Salvini referred to his faith after brandishing a rosary
during a rally in Milan at the weekend.
Leading members of the Catholic church criticized the move
with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin warning that
"invoking God for ourselves is always dangerous".
"I show my faith by saving human lives, deaths at sea and
arrivals via sea are down 90%, and by combatting human
traffickers," Salvini said.
"I'm happy to have the support women and men of the Church.
"I'm working to bring back defence of Europe's
Judeo-Christian roots, which have been denied and forgotten by
the Brussels bureaucrats who are slaves to the powers-that-be
and the world of finance".
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