Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, the head of the Pope's council on migration, said governments should not put obstacles in the way of immigrants who come to work hard and try to blend in.

The Roman Catholic Church has always been on the side of immigrants, he said, and wealthy countries should do more to welcome those in need.

"I see no reason to put obstacles in the way of (immigrants) legitimate right to citizenship," Mgr Veglio said in an interview with the Italian monthly Jesus.

"As for when and how, it is clearly a matter for each state to legislate on," he said.

"An immigrant with a regular job, who pays taxes, respects the laws and traditions of the country that has welcomed him, learns the language and wants to integrate into society, has fulfilled all the conditions to aspire for a political and administrative life in the country that is his new homeland," said Mr Veglio, who also supports giving immigrants the vote. He said he regretted the fact that many rich countries "shut themselves off in their comfortable fortresses which they defend at all costs and do not pay enough attention to the needs of those outside the walls, completely forgetting the idea of solidarity".

Mgr Veglio said the Church had always sought to defend the dignity of immigrants, particularly the weak and the feeble, around the world.

He was speaking ahead of the 96th World Day of Migrants, to be celebrated on Sunday.