In new interviews, Pope speaks on immigration, environment, and European decline

September 14, 2015

Pope Francis spoke about immigration, the demographic and cultural decline of Europe, and dangers to the environment in two radio interviews broadcast this past weekend.

In a lengthy interview with the Portuguese Radio Renascenca, the Pope said that the current flood of immigrants into Europe can be traced to “an unfair economic system.” He complained that “today’s dominant economic system has replaced the person at the centre with the god of money, the idol.”

At the same time, the Pontiff said that it is not surprising to see migrants flocking toward countries in which the native population is not reproducing. “When there is an empty space, people seek to fill it,” he said. “If a country has no children, migrants come to occupy that space.”

Reflecting on the decline of Europe, Pope Francis said: “Not wanting children is, in part…linked to the culture of comfort, isn’t it?” He went on to say that Europe has lost its cultural energy, and “the great challenge facing Europe is to become once again Mother Europe, rather than Grandmother Europe.”

Raising a point that had frequently been made by his predecessors, Pope Francis observed that while European leaders have often spoken for their common identity, they have “avoided recognizing what is probably the deepest part of it: her Christian roots.” Still, he said, “for Europe it is not too late to change.”

In his talk with Radio Renascenca the Pope clarified his suggestion that each European parish should welcome a refugee family. He explained that he was not suggesting the refugees should live in the rectory, but that the parish should find some appropriate place—or if necessary rent an apartment. There are many empty convents that could be used, he noted.

The Pope also acknowledged the need for prudence in handling the immigration crisis. “I recognize that, nowadays, border safety conditions are not what they once were,” he said. He spoke in particular about the “danger of infiltration” by terrorist groups.

In the second interview, Pope Francis spoke with Marcelo Figueroa, a journalist with the Argentine station Milenium 106.7 and an old personal friend. During that talk the Pope spoke about the nature of friendship, reporting that at times he has felt that people exploited their relationships with him. This is a common occurrence, he lamented: “utilitarian friendship.”

In the Milenium interview the Pope spoke at length about environmental threats, saying: “We are mistreating creation; at times we treat it as if it were our worst enemy.”

The Pope also spoke about the threat of fundamentalism, which he said occurs in every religion. Fundamentalists, he said, “are faithful to an idea but not to a reality.” They “push God away from the companionship of his people.”

 

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Further information:

• In two interviews the Pope reaffirms that unfair economic systems cause migration and insists on care for creation (VIS)
• Pope Francis speaks to Portugal’s Radio Renascença (Vatican Radio)
• Pope Francis laments false friendship, fundamentalism (Vatican Radio)