Let us be touched by stories of migrants in distress

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 24 - The preservation of human dignityrather than personal wellbeing must be the main criterion forwelcoming, protecting and integrating migrants and refugees,Pope Francis said on World Day of Migrants and Refugees onSunday.
   "Let us be touched by the story of so many of our brothers andsisters in difficulty, who have the right both to emigrate andnot to emigrate, and let us not close ourselves inindifference," said the pope on X, echoing his own words at theclosing session of Mediterranean Meetings in Marseille onSaturday.
   "The difficulties of welcoming, protecting, promoting andintegrating people who are not expected are there for all tosee," continued the Pope.
   "But the main criterion cannot be the preservation of one's ownwell-being, but rather the preservation of human dignity," headded.
   The Catholic Church celebrates the World Day of Migrants andRefugees each year on the last Sunday in September.
   In his address on Saturday Pope Francis rejected the prevailingnarrative of a migrant invasion as "alarmist propaganda" andsaid those who risk their lives at sea in search of protectionand a better life just want to be welcomed.
   He also called for more and sustainable legal pathways of entryfor refugees and migrants seeking safety and a better life inEurope, as well as a "fair" reception system across the bloc.
   (ANSA).