Francis warns from Greece against the “nationalist egoisms” of Europe

The Pope Francisco arrived today at Greece for a trip of two and a half days in which he will visit the island of Lesbos, a symbol of the migratory crisis, and in his first speech he charged against “nationalist selfishness” in Europe, while warning that there is a “backward movement of the democracy ”and not only on the European continent.

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Coming from Cyprus, where he spent two days and denounced the indifference to the immigration drama, Francis delivered a very political speech to the Greek authorities after meeting with the president, Katerina Sakelaropulu, and the prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

EUROPE, TORN BY NATIONALISMS

In the hall of honor of the presidential palace, the pontiff recalled that this country, “characterized by its welcome, has seen a greater number of migrant brothers and sisters arrive on some of its islands than its inhabitants, thus increasing the problems , which are still affected by the difficulties brought about by the economic crisis ”.

Greece is one of the countries that receives the most migrants from Europe and in recent years it has hardened its position, as evidenced by the construction of a wall on its borders that has been reinforced after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan and in the face of fear. of a massive arrival of refugees.

But he also regretted that “European delays persist” and criticized that “the European Community, torn by nationalist selfishness, rather than being a train of solidarity, is sometimes blocked and uncoordinated.”

In view of this, he called for “a joint, community vision in the face of the migration issue” and encouraged that “attention be directed to the most needy”, stating that it be done “according to the possibilities of each country, they are welcomed, protected, promoted and integrated in full respect of their human rights and dignity ”.

Those are forced to flee in search of a home and hope, and more and more, “they are the protagonists of a terrible modern odyssey” like that of Ulysses, he said.

The pope will travel to the island of Lesbos tomorrow to return to focus on the drama of migration five years after his first trip, when he visited the refugee camp on the island in the midst of the migration crisis and where 2,500 people still live today.

For her part, the Greek head of state highlighted the great “sensitivity” of the pope and his strong contribution to show “the great humanitarian dimension of this problem”, in addition to her repeated requests to the international community to give a coordinated response to the inhumane exploitation of refugees.

He also thanked Greece for its “warm support” in its request that the Basilica of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul -reconverted into a mosque- continues to be an ecumenical symbol and emblematic monument of international heritage.

THE RETURN OF DEMOCRACY

From the borders of Europe, and in the country “where democracy was born”, the Argentine pontiff also warned that “it cannot but be noted with concern how today, not only on the European continent, there is a decline in democracy “.

“Meanwhile, authoritarianism is expeditious and the easy promises proposed by populisms are appealing. In various societies, concerned about security and anesthetized by consumerism, fatigue and discomfort lead to a kind of democratic skepticism “, the pontiff analyzed.

For Francisco, this skepticism about democracy “is caused by the distance from the institutions, by the fear of loss of identity and by the bureaucracy”, adding that the remedy is “good politics.”

And he hoped that “to the seductions of authoritarianism he responds with democracy; that he opposes the care of the other, of the poor and of creation, essential pillars for a renewed humanism, which is what our times and our Europe need ”against individualistic indifference”.

Francis will continue his first day in Athens with a visit to the highest authority of the Orthodox Church in Greece, Archbishop Jerome II, and a meeting with the country’s clergy, where Catholics do not reach 1 percent and are made up mostly of workers. foreign.

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Deshawn