Jacob Rees-Mogg delivered a withering put down of Pope Francis in response to his remarks about the global migrant crisis.
The Pope strongly criticised the treatment of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea to enter Europe, saying it was a “grave sin” not to offer aid to vessels.
Speaking on GB News, Jacob questioned Francis as he waded into political affairs once more.
“These people are safe in France”, he said.
Jacob Rees-Mogg questioned the pope's remarks
REUTERS / GB NEWS
“If the Holy Father wants them so much, he can have them in the Vatican.
“The Holy Father runs a sovereign state.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
During his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope hit out at “those who work systematically and with every means to reject migrants”.
He added: “And this, when done with conscience and responsibility, it’s a grave sin.”
It’s not the first time Francis has spoken about the treatment of migrants during his 11-year papacy.
His words this time around were especially strong in the wake of a flurry of small boat activities.
Tessa Dunlop put the Pope's comments to Jacob
GB NEWS
It was revealed by GB News earlier today that 20,000 illegal migrants have made the perilous trip across the Channel this calendar year.
Days of favourable conditions proved to be the tipping point with warm weather leading to settled waters.
It was especially busy on Tuesday, as official figures show that 526 people arrived illegally in UK waters in eight dinghies.
Maritime security sources have told GB News that the UK was on target to significantly outstrip the 29,000 people who arrived by small boat in 2023.
Pope Francis has waded in on the migrant crisis
ReutersOne source said: "There's no doubt at all that the UK will see significantly more Channel migrants arriving by the end of this year, compared to last year.
"Fortunately for the Government, we've had a week of stormy weather in the Channel, which has prevented small boat crossings, or we'd have been at 20,000 a week ago.
"And we're currently in the busiest part of the year, where mostly flat-calm conditions allow for hundreds to cross every day."