Pope Francis Hails Marrakech Pact on Migration

Pope Francis hailed on Sunday the Marrakech Pact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration adopted last week, expressing hope that the global pact would help to better handle migration flows and incite the international community to assume its responsibility towards those forced to flee their homes.

“The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, which aims to be a reference framework for the international community, was adopted last week in Marrakech, Morocco,” said the pope in front of thousands of people gathered at St. Peter’s Square.

He hoped that the non-binding accord would serve as a reference point for the international community.
“I hope the international community, thanks to this deal, can act with responsibility, solidarity and compassion toward those who, for various reasons, had to abandon their countries,” he said.

The Global Compact on Migration was formally adopted in Marrakech at the UN Intergovernmental Conference on Migration held Dec.10-11.

The Conference, opened by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, was attended by at least 150 Member States, as well as more than 700 partners, including representatives of civil society, the public sector and migrants.