Pope asks Europe to do more for migrants flooding into Italy
By Associated Press
Apr 18, 2015 7:54 AM CDT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is asking the European Union to do more to help Italy with the mounting numbers of desperate people needing rescue in the Mediterranean on risky boat journeys to flee war, persecution or poverty.

After meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Vatican Saturday, Francis said it's "evident the proportions of the phenomenon require much boarder involvement." He urges tireless appeals to "solicit a more extensive commitment at the European and international level."

Francis thanked Italy for rescuing and sheltering the refugees and other migrants whose numbers approach 200,000 since the start of 2014. More than 10,000 arrived in the past week alone.

Italy says it will continue saving migrants abandoned at sea by smugglers but demands that the European Union increase assistance to shelter and rescue them.