Pope Leo XIV on Friday issued a strong warning to human traffickers and criminal networks exploiting migrants attempting to reach Europe through Spain’s Canary Islands, urging them to repent or face divine judgment.
Speaking on the final day of a week-long visit to Spain, the pontiff reiterated his call for world leaders to adopt a more humane approach towards migrants and refugees.
Addressing those who “take advantage of peoples’ desperation (or) organise death routes”, Leo said: “Stop. Repent.”
“For every life lost, every family deceived … you will have to appear before divine justice,” he said.
“Repent while there is still time,” the pope added, referring to the Catholic belief that those who commit wrongdoing must seek forgiveness and make amends before death or face condemnation in the afterlife.