Pope says impeding migrant rescues at sea is 'gesture of hate'

Pope Francis holds the weekly general audience, in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo

MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Friday that migrants who risk drowning at sea "must be rescued," calling it "a duty of humanity, a duty of civilisation".

Speaking at the start of a trip centred on migration issues in the Mediterranean, he said that impeding such rescues is "a gesture of hate".

He spoke at an inter-religious prayer service at a monument dedicated in the port city of Marseille to those lost at sea.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella, Editing by William Maclean)