The pope told the public gathered in St. Peter's Square that he was joining his voice to that of the Asian nation's bishops in also calling for humanitarian corridors.

The Vatican said Pope Francis on Saturday approved a decree declaring the "heroic virtues" of Schuman, a former prime minister, finance minister and foreign minister for France after World War II.

Both supporters and critics of the proposal said it could be used to pressure bishops to deny Communion to pro-choice Catholic politicians.

“You can’t understand [border realities] by talking to government officials. You have to talk to the people who are working with migrants and hear about the suffering.”

A controversial proposal from the U.S. bishops’ doctrinal committee that seeks approval to begin a process of drafting a document about the Eucharist seems on track to come up for a vote.

“No one is safe from their attacks. Anyone they are suspicious of, anyone they think are against them, they will arrest, they will torture and some of them are even shot to death.”