Fact Check: Pope Francis Said Rejecting Migrants Is a 'Grave Sin'?

Claim:

Pope Francis said in a speech, “There are those who work systematically and with every means possible to repel migrants. And this, when done with awareness and responsibility, is a grave sin.”

Rating:

Correct Attribution ( About this rating? )

In August 2024, a purported quote from Pope Francis went viral, in which he said rejecting migrants who were seeking asylum was a "grave sin."

While the pope did not use the exact words in the above post on X, he did say in a speech that rejecting migrants was a "grave sin." As such, we rate this claim a "Correct Attribution."

On Aug. 28, 2024, Pope Francis spoke at his weekly general audience gathering at the Vatican, which is open to the public. Per the official transcript on the Vatican's website, he said those who "repel migrants" are committing a "grave sin" (emphasis, ours):

I have spoken about the Mediterranean many times, because I am the Bishop of Rome and because it is emblematic: the mare nostrum, a place of communication between peoples and civilizations, has become a cemetery. And the tragedy is that many, the majority of these deaths, could have been prevented. It must be said clearly: there are those who work systematically and with every means possible to repel migrants — to repel migrants. And this, when done with awareness and responsibility, is a grave sin. Let us not forget what the Bible says: "You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him" (Ex 22:21). The orphan, the widow and the stranger are the quintessential poor whom God always defends and asks to be defended.

The pope said the above words at the 24:13 mark, per the Vatican's official YouTube channel:

(We should note the official transcript has the following disclaimer : "The following text includes parts that were not read out loud, but should be considered as such.")

The pope has often spoken out on the rights of migrants, but his invocation of Catholic terminology resulted in more attention online and in the media.

In the same speech, he added , "the sea and the desert are also biblical places, loaded with symbolic value. They are very important settings in the history of the exodus, the great migration of the people led by God through Moses from Egypt to the Promised Land. These places witness the tragedy of the people fleeing oppression and slavery."

He then called for countries to accept refugees:

Brothers and sisters, we can all agree on one thing: migrants should not be in those lethal seas and deserts. Today's migrants should not be there — and they are, unfortunately. But it is not through more restrictive laws, it is not with the militarization of borders, it is not with rejection that we will obtain this result. Instead, we will obtain it by extending safe and legal access routes for migrants, providing refuge for those who flee from war, violence, persecution and various disasters; we will obtain it by promoting in every way a global governance of migration based on justice, brotherhood and solidarity; and by joining forces to combat human trafficking, to stop the criminal traffickers who mercilessly exploit others' misery.

The pope's statement came as Italy stepped up its crackdown on migrant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. In late August 2024, the government impounded a Doctors Without Borders ship for the 23rd time since the beginning of its 18-month campaign against humanitarian ships in the Mediterranean.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimated that, since 2014, more than 30,000 migrants crossing the Mediterranean have gone missing.

Sources:

"General Audience of 28 August 2024 - Catechesis. Sea and Desert - Francis" Vatican, Aug. 28, 2024. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2024/documents/20240828-udienza-generale.html . Accessed 30 Aug. 2024.

Kazmin, Amy. "Italy steps up clampdown on boats rescuing migrants in Mediterranean Sea." Financial Times, Aug. 28, 2024. https://www.ft.com/content/ada8343c-3783-4600-9726-9aba86f3e38a . Accessed 30 Aug. 2024.

McElwee, Joshua. "Pope Francis Says Refusing Aid to Migrants a 'Grave Sin.'" Reuters, 28 Aug. 2024. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-says-refusing-aid-migrants-grave-sin-2024-08-28/ " target="blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-says-refusing-aid-migrants-grave-sin-2024-08-28/.">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-says-refusing-aid-migrants-grave-sin-2024-08-28/ . Accessed 30 Aug. 2024.