VATICAN CITY:
Pope Francis has complimented the people of
Mexico during his weekly audience, praising them for being "so welcoming to migrants. God bless you.''
A group of Mexicans present in St. Peter's Square for the Wednesday audience cheered and waved a Mexican flag at the comments.
Francis has frequently been vocal in his support of Mexico's efforts to help migrants and critical of the United States for blocking migrants at the border. During a visit to the US-Mexico border in 2016, he criticized then-presidential candidate
Donald Trump, suggesting that anyone who wanted to build a wall along the border was ``not a Christian.''
In April, the pontiff donated $500,000 to help migrants in Mexico, offering assistance to local projects that provide food, lodging and basic necessities.