Pope: Italy needs help for migrants

Pope Francis is asking the European Union to do more to help Italy with the mounting numbers of desperate people needing rescue in the Mediterranean on risky boat journeys to flee war, persecution or poverty.

After meeting Italian president Sergio Mattarella at the Vatican, Francis said it is “evident the proportions of the phenomenon require much broader involvement”. He urged tireless appeals to “solicit a more extensive commitment at the European and international level”.