Pope Leo XIV highlights migrants and refugees as witnesses of hope in a world affected by conflict and inequality. The Pope's message calls for a future of peace and respect for human dignity. The World Day of Migrants and Refugees will coincide with the Jubilee of Migrants and of Missions on October 4 and 5. The United Nations reported around 123.4 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide by the end of 2024.
5 months ago
Pope Leo XIV, in his message for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), has declared migrants and refugees to be "privileged witnesses of hope" in a world grappling with conflict, injustice, and inequality 1 3 4. The WDMR, typically observed on September 24, will this year coincide with the Jubilee of Migrants and of Missions on October 4-5 1 3 6.
The Pope's message highlights the dire global context, marked by "frightening scenarios" such as wars, violence, injustice, and extreme weather events, which have forcibly displaced an estimated 123.4 million people by the end of 2024 1 3 4. He specifically cited the renewed arms race, the development of nuclear weapons, the climate crisis, and profound economic inequalities as pressing challenges 1 3 4 6. Pope Leo XIV criticized the "widespread tendency" to prioritize the interests of limited communities, which he believes undermines multilateral cooperation, the pursuit of the common good, and global solidarity 1 3 4 6. He underscored the essential need for a growing desire for peace and respect for human dignity, aligning with God's plan for humanity 1 3 4.
Pope Leo XIV emphasized that migrants and refugees embody the virtue of hope, demonstrating resilience and trust in God as they seek integral human development and happiness 1 3 4 6. Their journeys, often defying death on perilous routes, are seen as heroic testimonies of faith that look beyond immediate adversity 1 3 4 6. This search for happiness, he noted, is a primary motivation for their movement, making them "messengers" and "privileged witnesses of hope" 1 3 4.
The Pope also stressed that communities welcoming migrants and refugees can become "living witnesses to hope" by recognizing the inherent dignity of all individuals as children of God 1. He called for migrants to be embraced as brothers and sisters, fully integrated into community life where they can express their talents 1.
Furthermore, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the spiritual dimension of migration for the Catholic Church itself 1 3 4 6. He stated that migrants remind the Church of its "pilgrim dimension," perpetually journeying towards its heavenly homeland 1 3 4 6. He warned against the Church falling into the "temptation of 'sedentarization'," which would cause it to become "of the world" rather than "in the world" 1 3 4 6.
In a significant point, Pope Leo XIV asserted that Catholic migrants and refugees have a special mission to become "missionaries of hope" in their host countries 1 3 4 5 6. He believes their "spiritual enthusiasm and vitality" can revitalize ecclesial communities that have become "rigid and weighed down," combating "spiritual desertification" 1 3 4 5 6. Their presence, therefore, should be recognized and appreciated as "a true divine blessing," offering new energy and hope to the Church 1 3 4 6. The Pope encouraged adequate preparation and ongoing support for this "missio migrantium" through effective inter-ecclesial cooperation 1.
The message concludes by entrusting all migrants and those who accompany them to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary, the "comfort of migrants," to sustain hope and commitment towards building a world resembling the Kingdom of God 3 4 6.
How does the Church view migration and evangelization?
The Catholic Church views migration as a complex phenomenon with deep roots in human history, emphasizing both the rights of migrants and the responsibilities of nations, while also seeing it as an opportunity for evangelization through witness and solidarity .
The Church does not advocate for "open borders" but affirms a sovereign country's right to control its borders for the common good . However, this right is not unlimited and must be balanced with the duty to welcome newcomers with charity, respect for human dignity, and the right to life .
Key principles and perspectives on migration include:
Evangelization, in its broad sense, encompasses the Church's entire mission: proclaiming and handing on the Gospel, which is identified with Jesus Christ himself . It is aimed at all humanity, seeking to transform human culture from within with the power of the Gospel .
Key aspects of evangelization include:
The Church sees the welcoming of migrants as an opportunity for evangelization through the witness of charity and solidarity . When a person or family is compelled to leave their homeland, they must be welcomed with humanity, and this welcome reveals a nation's vision of human dignity . The presence of migrants can enrich the receiving communities, and the Church is called to cultivate a pedagogy of welcome and exercise solidarity towards them . This approach aligns with the broader understanding of evangelization, which involves transforming humanity from within through the Gospel's influence and promoting integral human development .