Pope Francis has urged nations to take in as many refugees as they can integrate into their societies, but also to invest in places like Africa so migrants won't turn to human traffickers to reach countries that can offer a better life.
Speaking to reporters on his plane as he flew back to Rome after a visit to Geneva, Francis also reiterated that he supports the Roman Catholic bishops in the United States who condemned the immigration policy of separating children from parents who enter the US illegally.
"I am behind what the bishops say," the Pope said, referring to the leadership of the US bishops conference denouncing the separations as "immoral".
Francis was asked both about the separation policy as well as Europe's struggle with a flood of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean from human traffickers' boats. Italy's new populist Government is trying to discourage more arrivals of rescued migrants.
He praised both Italy and Greece for being "most generous" in taking in migrants rescued at sea, and said all governments should take in as many refugees as their countries can handle.