Castel Gandolfo, Italy - Pope Benedict XVI appeared to add his voice Sunday to the ongoing controversy over the expulsion of Roma migrants in France by reminding Catholics that they have a duty to welcome people of all origins.
Addressing a group of French pilgrims in French, the pope said the scriptures were "an invitation to know how to accept legitimate differences among humans, just like Jesus came to pull together men from every nation and speaking every language."
Speaking from his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, Benedict also told parents to "educate your children to universal fraternity."
Such comments were widely seen as addressing a decision by the French government of President Nicolas Sarkozy to expel scores of Roma migrants.
Sarkozy's decision to dismantle illegal Gypsy camps and send Romas back to Romania has been widely criticized by human rights associations, trade unions and opposition politicians in France.
The Vatican has also criticized what is says is a racist practice by France.
Earlier this week, Monsignor Giancarlo Perego of the Italian Episcopal Conference warned Italy against carrying out the "indiscriminate expulsions of Romas" or other European Union citizens.
His comments followed remarks made by Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni, who had lauded Sarkozy and announced plans to introduce even tougher measures in Italy.