In a letter read Monday at a Vatican conference in Mexico City, Pope Francis advised the United States that the thousands of illegal child immigrants streaming across the border from Central America and Mexico are to be "welcomed and protected," reports TIME.

"Migration has now become a hallmark of our society and a challenge," said Pope Francis. "Many people forced to emigrate suffer, and often die, tragically; many of their rights are violated, they are obliged to separate from their families and, unfortunately, continue to be the subject of racist and xenophobic attitudes."

The pontiff did make it clear the children should only be "welcomed and protected" as a response to what he deemed as "humanitarian emergency" while also stressing that the international community should inform illegal immigrants the dangers of their journey and also promote development in their own countries.