Pope urges Italians to help migrants as far right tipped to win election

Francis said migrants and refugees should be able to live in peace and with dignity' at open-air mass in Matera

Pope Francis has urged Italians to help migrants as voting proceeded in a general election widely expected to bring an anti-immigration rightwing coalition into power.

Speaking at the end of an open-air mass in the southern Italian city of Matera, the pope recalled that Sunday coincided with the Catholic church's World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Migrants are to be welcomed, accompanied, promoted and integrated," he told the assembled faithful.