Pope Francis on Christmas: 'Consider the plight of migrants'
Speaking on Christmas eve at St.Peter's Basilica in Vatican, Pope Francis urged Roman Catholics to not turn a blind eye to the plight of millions of refugees around the world. He compared refugees' fate to Mary and Joseph who traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem ahead of Jesus Christ's birth and had found no place to stay. Here's more on what he said.
Pope Francis: An advocate for migrant's rights
81-year old Pope Francis who hails from Argentina is the grandson of Italian migrants. He has spoken out numerous times on behalf of refugees since his election in 2013. Addressing Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh recently, he stated, "We won't close our hearts or look away. The presence of God today is also called Rohingya."
What did Pope Francis say?
"So many other footsteps are hidden in the footsteps of Joseph and Mary," the Pope said while comparing comparing refugees plight to the biblical story. He stated that many leaders "see no problem in shedding innocent blood." "We see the tracks of millions of persons who do not choose to go away but, driven from their land, leave behind their dear ones," he added.