Pope Francis calls for peace, stability, justice amid Ceuta migrant crisis

Pope Francis has voiced his deep concern regarding the escalating migrant crisis in Ceuta, the Spanish autonomous city located in North Africa. Speaking in Spanish after the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square, he appealed for "solutions of peace, stability, and justice" to address the alarming situation.

This marks the pontiff's first public reaction to the recent surge of migrants, which saw tens of thousands of people crossing from Morocco into Ceuta. The influx has reignited debates within the European Union about migration policies and border control.

The crisis has led to an emergency meeting of EU Interior Ministers scheduled for Tuesday to analyze the situation in Ceuta. The event has highlighted the complex challenges of managing migration flows and the humanitarian concerns associated with them.

Pope Francis has consistently advocated for a human-dignity-focused approach to migration throughout his pontificate. He has emphasized that no single nation can tackle this global challenge alone. His previous remarks during his visit to Spain in June, where he met with migrants and humanitarian organizations in the Canary Islands, reiterated these messages.

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I follow with concern the alarming situation in Ceuta, asking God, through the intercession of Our Lady of Africa, that solutions of peace, stability, and justice may be found.