VATICAN CITY, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Pope Francis praised Sweden's open immigration policy and said the country should serve as an example to the world in accepting foreigners into society.

Meeting with two Argentinian-born men at the Vatican who fled to Sweden in the 1970s to avoid their country's military dictatorship, Francis said their adoptive home is the most welcoming place in the world for immigrants to live, TheLocal.se reported Saturday.


"They do not have anyone in a concentration camp and other such terrifying places," Francis said. "That's an example we can present to the world. Because in reality it is the only country that is doing that, and is not filled with misery."

Asked by the brothers whether he would visit Sweden soon, Francis said he would like to but noted there are many places in the world the pontiff had yet to see.

"I have to do so many things. I do not know. If God will give me time, I will go," he said.

The last pope to visit Sweden was John Paul II, during a 10-day trip to Nordic countries in 1989.