Europe 1 with AFP 22:04, December 03, 2021

Pope Francis called on Friday in Nicosia to "open your eyes" to the "slavery" and "torture" that migrants undergo in the camps, drawing a parallel with World War II.

"It reminds us of the history of the last century, of the Nazis, of Stalin, and one wonders how it could have happened. But what once happened is happening today on the neighboring coasts", launched the Pope in a long improvisation during an ecumenical prayer with migrants on the second day of his visit to Cyprus.

"There are places of torture, people who are sold. I say this because it is my responsibility to open my eyes", declared the Sovereign Pontiff in front of 250 people gathered in the Church of the Holy Cross in Nicosia , located a few meters from the buffer zone administered by the UN.

"We watch what happens, and the worst thing is that we got used to it. Getting used to it is a very serious disease! There are no antibiotics against it," he said. he added during a long improvisation at the end of his speech, once again denouncing "the culture of indifference". 

"They find in front of them a wall of hatred"

In front of the "sufferings" of "so many people from whom we took advantage", François stood up against "the war of hatred", lambasting "those who prevent refugees from entering who ask for fraternity, for help , happiness". "They flee from hatred, and they find in front of them a wall of hatred (...) We cannot be silent and look elsewhere in front of this culture of indifference", he launched, seeing in this reality " the story of this developed society that we call the West ". A few minutes earlier, the Pope had said he was "moved" after hearing the testimonies of four people in exile.

Through this trip, his 35th abroad since his election in 2013, the Sovereign Pontiff intends to once again focus attention on the issue of migration, the leitmotif of his pontificate and a source of tension in the Mediterranean region.