Pope enters row about immigrants' rights in Italy

Italian opposition leader Silvio Berlusconi urged the country to close its borders to Romanian workers and a conservative ally called for the expulsion of tens of thousands of immigrants as the nation grappled today with public outrage over a wave of violent crimes blamed on foreigners.

Pope Benedict XVI added his moral voice to the debate over the balance between citizen safety and treatment of foreigners by reminding authorities that immigrants have obligations – and rights.