Bono Warns That Europe "Will Be No More" If There Is Not Solution To The Refugee Crisis

New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Rock giants U2 have drawn attention to the plight of refugees and called for "humanitarian leadership" as they kicked off the European leg of their world tour. Frontman and activist Bono, who addressed Turin's packed Pala Alpitour in Italian on a number of occasions, said on Saturday night: "We don't know what the answer to the refugee crisis in Europe and Africa is, but we know that if we don't figure it out, then Europe, which is a beautiful idea, will be no more.

The image of a young Syrian boy washed ashore in Turkey earlier this week sparked outrage and calls for governments throughout Europe to do more to help the tens of thousands of refugees. Bono made reference to the shocking incident by changing the lyrics in Pride (In the Name of Love) to: "One boy washed up on an empty beach."



In a set that included more than two dozen of the band's songs and at one point featured a screen showing footage of refugees, Bono said: "There is a lot of heartache in the world, but there is so much joy in here this evening.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. It's incredible.
Watching the news, ordinary people - all of us - seem capable of such great evil and such great love.
I don't know the answer to the refugee crisis in Europe and Africa but I know we must work together to find an answer to the refugee crisis in Europe and Africa.
As Nelson Mandela said 'It always seems impossible until it is done'."
Bono asked the crowd: "What do you want? A Europe with its heart and borders closed to mercy? Or a Europe with its heart open?"

Also, the Edge told reporters the band tries to touch on issues that are relevant, adding: "We feel like our music should be a reference to what's happening in the milieu around it."