(ANSA) - Vatican City, August 21 - Pope Francis said in his
message for next year's World Day of Migrants and Refugees that
"while respecting the universal right for a nationality, it must
be recognised and certified for all children at the moment of
birth.
"The statelessness in which migrants and refugees sometimes
find themselves can easily be avoided through legislation on
citizenship complying with the fundamental principles of
international law", Francis said.
The pope's statement was issued a day after Premier Paolo
Gentiloni irked anti-immigrant parties by vowing to pass a bill
that would give Italian citizenship to the children of regular
immigrants, born on Italian soil, who have spent at least five
years in the Italian school system.
The parties came out against the pope's call Monday.
Roberto Calderoli, a heavyweight in the anti-immigrant
Northern League party, said "the pope is wrong, we can't give
citizenship to more than two million immigrants who don't even
want it".
We must "respond to the numerous challenges posed by
contemporary migrations with generosity, speed, wisdom and
far-sightedness, each according to his possibilities," Francis
went on.
The pope stressed that "every foreigner who knocks on our
door is an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ, who identifies
himself with the foreigner welcomed or rejected in every epoch".
The pope said migrants were a resources whose rights had to
be respected, and the "culture of encounter" must always be
encouraged.
He also called for more humanitarian corridors and proper
accommodation for migrants.
Francis also said personal security must be combined with
national security, and stressed the need to "welcome, protect,
promote and integrate".
Migrant nationality right from birth (4)
Meet migrant challenges with generosity says Francis