Pope: 'The concentration camps of the 20th century? There are also today for migrants'

"We complain when we read the stories of the concentration camps of the last century, of the Nazis, of Stalin. 'How did this happen?'

But it is also happening today, in the nearby beaches, a bridge of slavery ".

Thus the Pope, speaking 'off the cuff' during the ecumenical prayer with migrants in Nicosia.

"I watched some testimonies filmed: stories of torture. I say this because it is my job to open our eyes. It is the war of this moment, it is the suffering of brothers and sisters. And we cannot remain silent".

"Excuse me, but I would like to say what I have in my heart: the barbed wire, but this is a war of hatred that a country lives, but they also end up in other parts where they try not to let the refugee enter, the one who comes to ask for freedom. , bread, help, brotherhood, joy, which is fleeing from hatred is faced with a hatred that is called barbed wire ", the Pope continues:" may the Lord awaken the conscience of all of us in the face of these things. and look the other way into this culture of indifference ".

"Hate has also polluted our relations between Christians. And this leaves its mark, a profound mark that lasts for a long time. It is a poison from which it is difficult to detoxify. It is a distorted mentality, which instead of making ourselves recognized as brothers, it shows us as opponents, as rivals, when not as an object to be sold or exploited ".

Pope Francis said this during the ecumenical prayer with migrants in the Church of Santa Croce in Nicosia, after having heard four testimonies.