POPE FRANCIS URGES WORLD LEADERS TO RESPOND DECISIVELY AFTER 700 MIGRANTS DROWN OFF LIBYAN COAST

The Pontiff, Pope Francis on Sunday urged world leaders to respond decisively after 700 migrants drowned off the coast of Libya in the deadliest migrant shipwreck.
Pope Francis said,
"These are men and women like us, brothers seeking a better life". He urged world leaders to "act decisively and quickly to stop these tragedies from recurring"
The Pontiff urged the faithful in St. Peter's square to pray for the victims and said,
"(They are) hungry, persecuted, injured, exploited, victims of war. They are seeking a better life, they were seeking happiness".
On Saturday Pope Francis had spoken about the surge in the numbers attempting perilous sea crossings from North Africa.
He said then,
"It is evident that the proportions of the phenomenon demand much greater involvement", "We must not tire in our attempts to solicit a more extensive response at European and international level"
An estimated 700 people are said to have died after a migrant boat capsized in the Mediterranean sea off the Libyan coast.