Pope Leo XIV has urged to promote a culture of fraternity on the theme of migration, overcoming prejudices and indifference during a homily delivered on October 5 in St Peter's Square to mark the Jubilee of Migrants and the Missionary World.
"There are many missionary men and women, but also believers and people of good will, who work in the service of migrants, and promote a new culture of fraternity on the theme of migration, beyond stereotypes and prejudices. But this precious service involves each one of us, within the limits of our own means," Pope Leo XIV said on October 5 in his homily during a mass in St Peter's Square to mark the Jubilee of Migrants and the Missionary World.
'Human dignity must always come first'
The pontiff highlighted that "the story of so many of our migrant brothers and sisters bears witness to this: the tragedy of their flight from violence, the suffering which accompanies it, the fear of not succeeding, the perilous risk of traveling along the coastline, their cry of sorrow and desperation."
"Brothers and sisters, those boats which hope to catch sight of a safe port, and those eyes filled with anguish and hope seeking to reach the shore, cannot and must not find the coldness of indifference or the stigma of discrimination," Leo XIV urged.
"Know that you are always welcome," the pope told migrants, highlighting that nobody should be forced to leave nor should be exploited or mistreated because they are in need and foreign and that human dignity should always come first.
Read AlsoItaly: New deal scheduled to bring 1,000 refugees via humanitarian corridor
Being missionaries doesn't only mean departing but also staying to welcome -- pope
The pontiff called for a paradigm shift in the missionary Church because being missionaries doesn't necessarily entail "departing" but could also mean "staying" to welcome those in need with open arms. "Today the frontiers of the missions are no longer geographical, because poverty, suffering and the desire for a greater hope have made their way to us," he noted.
Thus Pope Leo XIV highlighted that "mission is not so much about "departing", but instead "remaining" in order to proclaim Christ through hospitality and welcome, compassion and solidarity. We are to remain without fleeing to the comforts of our individualism; to remain so as to look upon those who arrive from lands that are distant and violent; to remain and open our arms and hearts to them, welcoming them as brothers and sisters, and being for them a presence of consolation and hope."
Read AlsoItaly: 'Migrants' priest' Biancalani assigned to new parish