Don't send migrants back to unsafe countries, pope says, citing Libya

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis gestures as he speaks during the weekly general audience at the Vatican, October 20, 2021. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday urged countries not to send migrants back to insecure countries such as Libya, where he said many suffer violent and inhumane conditions similar to those in concentration camps.

The pope's appeal at his Sunday blessing came as European Union leaders are struggling to overcome their differences on how to handle immigrants, an issue that feeds support for nationalist and populist groups across the EU.