Pope Francis on Monday highlighted the values of migrants amid a debate in many countries on limiting immigration.

“Many countries need migrants,’’ the Head of the Catholic Church said, pointing to declining birth rates and an ageing population.

“Let’s not forget that migrants must be welcomed, accompanied, promoted and integrated,’’ he said during an audience in the Vatican.

He noted that Italy, from where his own parents had immigrated to Argentina, was not having sufficient children and that the average age was now 46.

“Italy needs migrants,’’ Pope Francis said.

Since the start of his papacy, Francis has spoken in favour of migrants.

His first official trip in 2013 took him to the Italian island of Lampedusa, where many boat people came ashore after making the hazardous crossing from the North African coast. (dpa/NAN)