Pope Francis in Marseille

On his return flight from Marseille, France, the pope decried euthanasia, abortion and war, and he repeated pleas for compassionate thoughts and actions to migrants. 

Pope Francis on Sept. 23 blasted those who seek to weaponize the issue of migration by "fueling people's fears" through "alarmist propaganda," and called for countries and individuals around the Mediterranean to reexamine their policies and attitudes toward asylum seekers. 

Amid tensions among European leaders over a new influx of migrants, Pope Francis on Sept. 22 arrived in the French port city of Marseille and warned that civilization is at a crossroads over the continuing migrant crisis.

Pope Francis is traveling to Marseille, France, this weekend to meet with Mediterranean bishops on Europe's migrant crisis. The pope's pro-migrant message is already igniting fierce debate across the continent.

Pope Francis will make a two-day trip to Marseille, France, in late September, adding to a flurry of trips the 86-year-old pontiff will soon be making only weeks after leaving hospital following abdominal surgery.