Pope Francis said Sunday the plight of migrants seeking to escape war and poverty in North Africa and the Middle East brings tears to his eyes.
Francis spoke to a group of laborers in the Italian city of Turin while European Union ministers haggle over who is to take care of more 100,000 refugees who have arrived on European shores via Italy since January.
The pope denounced what he said is a system that treats people like "merchandise," and said the refugees should not be blamed for trying to get jobs.
Francis also heaped strong criticism on arms manufacturers and those who invest in such companies, calling them hypocrites for claiming to be Christians.