Closing doors to immigrants and refugees is not the answer - in fact, it only helps encourage the crime of human trafficking, Pope Francis said.

"The only way for resolution is through solidarity," where everyone pitches in because "all together we are a powerful force of support for those who have lost their homeland, family, work and dignity," he said yesterday during his weekly general audience.

In his talk, the Pope continued his series of reflections on the works of mercy, focusing on welcoming the stranger and clothing the naked.