ROME – Italy's immigration crisis has so overloaded the government's centers that churches are now opening their doors to newly arrived migrants.
The Italian coast guard rescued another 293 migrants at sea and brought them Tuesday to Sicily. They join the nearly 60,000 migrants who have arrived in Italy in the first half of 2014, far more than the 42,000 who arrived in all of 2013.
Churches in Palermo have emptied out pews to make space for clean cots. Charity volunteers are greeting migrant boats at the port with donated food, clothes, doctors and even psychologists.
The Rev. Rosario Francolino has coordinated the reception of 700 Africans at one Palermo church since Sunday. He said: "We've substituted the altar with beds. I think it's the most beautiful Mass the community could celebrate."
