Pope calls for 'just solutions' for immigrants

Pope Benedict XVI called for "just solutions" to problems linked to immigration, a live issue in Italy in recent weeks.

Speaking after his weekly Angelus prayer, the pope hailed "the Family Love Movement and all who spent last night in the church of Saint Gregory (in Rome) praying for just solutions" for welcoming foreigners in Italy.

The Roman Catholic Church has led criticism of violence against African farm workers in the southern Italian town of Rosarno earlier this month that left 31 foreigners injured and forced more than 1,000 to flee the area.

"Immigrants are human beings with rights and duties, who should be respected", the Pope said earlier this month.

Tensions over immigration have been growing in Italy's coalition government between the xenophobic Northern League, which takes a hard line on the matter, and more moderate elements who support better rights for immigrants.