‘Whoever welcomes a migrant welcomes Christ,’ pope says May 30, 2024By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians cannot share a vision that sees migrants as threats to society or as a cause for fear, Pope Francis said in a video meditation. “Whoever welcomes a migrant welcomes Christ,” the pope said in the video released May 28 by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. The pope’s prayer intention for the month of June is: “Let us pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys fraught with danger and violence, may find welcome and new living opportunities in their host countries.” The pope asked viewers to remember that a “feeling of uprootedness or of not knowing where they belong often accompanies the trauma experienced by people who are forced to flee their homeland because of war or poverty.” Then, they arrive in a place they thought would be safe and good for their families, and they are treated as intruders or met with walls — “walls on the earth separating families and walls in hearts,” the pope said. A Christian approach to migration, he said, is to “promote a social and political culture that protects the rights and dignity of migrants, a culture that promotes the possibility that they can achieve their full potential and integrates them.” “A migrant needs to be accompanied, promoted and integrated,” he said. Read More Vatican News Pope to cardinals: You are not experts promoting agendas, but a community of faith Pope Leo calls on Catholics to rediscover Vatican II teachings As consistory begins, so does symbolic transition from Francis to Leo Pope accepts resignation of Rochester Bishop Matano, names Bishop Bonnici as successor Torrential rains, looming deadline, don’t deter last-minute pilgrims As jubilee year ends, the faithful heed Pope Leo’s call to keep the church alive Copyright © 2024 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
