I cannot understand why the Prime Minister praises the Pope and then, at the same time, comes out so strongly against refugees who need protection and brags about the deal done with Libya. The United Nations has just said how refugees and, especially, minors are abused in Libya.

Europe has Christian roots and we in Malta parade ourselves with the saints we venerate. So let us be humane and Christian.

By 2050, the population in Africa will double and I can predict the number of refugees arriving from Africa will increase. Thus, this is a problem that will be with us for the foreseeable future. The poor are always with you, Jesus had said.

We should either try to solve the problem or we can be humane and Christian and live with them.

A pertinent anecdote is about a richly clad woman who attended a dance all night to raise funds for the poor. When morning broke, as she was going out of the dance hall, a poor boy approached her asking for alms. And she replied: “Go away, you filthy boy. I have been dancing for you all night.”