In Memoriam: Pope Francis
"The journey from slavery to freedom that the People of Israel traveled, as narrated in the Book of Exodus, invites us to look at the reality of our time, so clearly marked by the phenomenon of migration, as a decisive moment in history to reaffirm not only our faith in a God who is always close, incarnate, migrant and refugee, but also the infinite and transcendent dignity of every human person."
"What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly."
"I exhort all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters. With charity and clarity we are all called to live in solidarity and fraternity, to build bridges that bring us ever closer together, to avoid walls of ignominy and to learn to give our lives as Jesus Christ gave his for the salvation of all."
Since the early days of his Pontificate, when Pope Francis made his first trip outside of Rome to Lampedusa, he made the issue of migration a central theme that emerged repeatedly in his writings and speeches. In his homily at Lampedusa, the Pope reflected on the story of Cain and Abel, asking of us the question, “Where is your brother?” Too often we cast sidelong glances at those who are marginalized and declare their dire situation not our responsibility. Too many of us remain happily ensconced in our creaturely comforts, ignoring the cries of the poor, and directly contributing to the “globalization of indifference.”
In February of this year, Pope Francis sent a letter to the bishops of the United States where he complimented the Church for its work on behalf of migrants. During his last public address, which occurred on Easter, Pope Francis again touched on the issue of migration when he lamented “how much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants! On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God!"
Since 1914, the Church has invited us to celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), which provides an opportunity for Catholics to reflect on the situation confronting migrant populations, both internationally and domestically. WDMR and National Migration Week, which takes place the last week of September, provide an ideal opportunity for the Church to reflect on migration. As in times past, every year Pope Francis issued a theme related to migration and issued a statement that further fleshed out the specific theme in question. For 2025, Pope Francis had chosen the theme “Migrants, Missionaries of Hope”.
As we look back on his remarkable Pontificate, it is worth reflecting on how he understood migration and his call for us to provide care and welcome to migrants who live among us.
For more information on Pope Francis' support for migrants, please visit this page on the Justice for Immigrants website.
