Pope alarmed by attacks on immigrant centres

Pope Francis has described last week’s violent attacks on refugees in Italy as a “social emergency”.

The Pope urged Catholics to work with the authorities to calm tensions after a series of mob attacks on a migrant reception centre in a working- class neighbourhood of Rome.

Tor Sapienza was the scene of the worst anti-immigrant violence seen in Europe for years, with  residents claiming that immigrants have brought prostitution and drug pushing to their streets.

A centre housing several hundred migrants was shelled with stones, flares and other missiles for three consecutive nights.

Far-right groups were suspected of infiltrating and hijacking the protests as demonstrators waved anti-Islamic and racist banners and sung chants about “Il Duce” – Italy’s former fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

Dozens of riot police were injured in the clashes and the city authorities were forced to order the removal of children and families from the centre.

Speaking out after the attacks, Francis said Christians must reject violence and build an “inclusive, secure and peaceful co-existence” with migrants.

He told pilgrims at his Sunday Angelus prayer: “These days in Rome there have been very strong tensions between residents and immigrants, [as has] happened in various European cities, especially in outlying neighbourhoods marked by other hardships.

“The authorities must make it a priority to address this social emergency which could become much worse.”

Francis said that Christians must make concrete efforts to “find compromise rather than confront ... Instead you must engage in dialogue, listen, and plan together so as to overcome suspicion and prejudice.”

Visiting migrants on the island of Lampedusa last year the Pope condemned a “globalisation of indifference” towards the plight of refugees.