Pope says impeding migrant rescues at sea is 'gesture of hate'

Pope Francis said on Friday that migrants who risk drowning at sea "must be rescued," calling it "a duty of humanity, a duty of civilisation".

Speaking at the start of a trip centred on migration issues in the Mediterranean, he said that impeding such rescues is "a gesture of hate".

He spoke at an inter-religious prayer service at a monument dedicated in the port city of Marseille to those lost at sea.