Pope Francis continued his
drive for migrants and refugees to be welcomed with "open arms"
during a visit to the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna
on Sunday, where he visited the cities of Cesena and Bologna.
In Bologna the Argentine pontiff met around 1,000 people
staying at a reception centre for asylum seekers.
"In you, as in every stranger who knocks at our door, I see
Jesus Christ, who identifies himself with the stranger of every
age and condition, accepted or rejected," the pope said.
"I want to carry with me your faces that are asking to be
remembered, helped, I'd say 'adopted', because in the end you
look out for someone who bets on you, gives you confidence and
helps you find that future for which you have hoped and arrived
here."
Calling the migrants "fighters of hope," he encouraged the
migrants to work hard and follow the laws of the land.
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