Pope warns politicians not to exploit 'fear of the other' after meeting with migrants in Greece


Pope Francis met with several dozen migrants on the Greek island of Lesbos on Sunday. He warned politicians against "instilling fear of the other" and using migrants for "political propaganda," BBC reports.
"History teaches us that narrow self-interest and nationalism lead to disastrous consequences," the pope said.
After the visit to Lesbos, the pontiff said Mass Sunday afternoon in an Athens concert hall. Speaking in Italian, Pope Francis pointed out that John the Baptist preached his message in the desert, not in the halls of power. He urged his listeners to become "interiorly poor" rather than prideful and encouraged them with a reminder that "then as now, God turns his gaze to wherever sadness and loneliness abound."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A Greek Orthodox priest heckled Francis during his Saturday visit to Athens, shouting "Pope, you are a heretic!" before being led away by police. The elderly priest fell to the ground as police grabbed him, but seemed uninjured. Francis "appeared not to notice," according to The Associated Press. Interactions between the pope and other Greek Orthodox clergy have been far more amiable.
Pope Francis is expected to return to the Vatican on Monday.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
The financial changes to expect in 'Awful April'
The Explainer As the new financial year begins, it brings changes for bills, wages and tax
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Sudoku hard: April 2, 2025
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Crossword: April 2, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Pope returns to Vatican after long hospital stay
Speed Read Pope Francis entered the hospital on Feb. 14 and battled double pneumonia
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Texas megachurch founder charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Robert Morris, former spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump, is accused of sexually abusing a child
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
What happens when a pope dies?
In The Spotlight Vatican protocol on a pontiff's death is steeped in tradition and ritual
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Pope Francis suffers setback with respiratory episodes
Speed Read The 88-year-old pope continues to battle pneumonia
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US Christianity's long decline has halted, Pew finds
Speed Read 62% of Americans call themselves Christian, a population that has been 'relatively stable' for the past five years
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pope Francis hospitalized with 'complex' illness
Speed Read The Vatican says their leader has a respiratory infection, raising new concerns about his health
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Aga Khan, billionaire spiritual leader, dies at 88
Speed Read Prince Karim Al-Hussaini's philanthropy funded hospitals, housing and schools in some of the world's poorest places
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
An ailing Pope Francis – and the vultures circling in the Vatican
Talking Point Caught between his progressive inner circle and an influx of conservatism, the Holy Father should 'brace' himself for a battle
By The Week UK Published