Pope Francis today put France and Europe in front of their “responsibilities” in immigration during the second day of his visit to Marseille, which will end with a service in the Velodrome stadium.

The 86-year-old pontiff, who was welcomed at Megaro Faro by the president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigittedelivered a long speech that concluded the “Mediterranean Meetings”, the official reason for his visit to the city, attended by 70 bishops and an equal number of young people from all over the Mediterranean.

“Two words echoed, fueling people’s fear: ‘invasion’ and ’emergency.’ But those who risk their lives at sea do not invade, they seek hospitality.” said the pope, essentially repeating his statements yesterday, when he denounced the “fear” and “indifference” towards immigrants.

These statements by Pope Francis were made in front of many French and European officials, among whom was French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin who last Tuesday said his country would not accept migrants arriving on the Italian island of Lampedusa, while the right and far-right in the country were talking about a “migrant flood”.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church also advocated “integration” rather than “assimilation” of immigrants which would “undermine their future, increasing distances and causing ghettoisation, hostility and intolerance”.

At noon the pope held talks with Emmanuel Macron, whose government is due to present a new immigration law soon and is currently debating the issue of legalizing undocumented workers. This is the fourth meeting between the two leaders, who maintain cordial relations and speak to each other in the singular.

The pope also referred to the law on euthanasia to be passed in France, warning against accepting a “false prospect of a peaceful death”.

Earlier, the spiritual leader of 1.3 billion Catholics visited the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Mother Teresa, in a poor district in central Marseille, where the nuns carry out charity work. And there he insisted that brotherhood “transcends political or religious beliefs.”

“It is wonderful that we met the pope. In our neighborhood life is hard, it is difficult, but with the will of the Lord and the prayers of the pope today in Marseille we will give hope to those who are suffering,” said Arbana Arifai, a woman originally from Albania who was present at the meeting .

After the mass in the Velodrome, which will be attended by President Macron and his wife, the pope will leave immediately for Rome.