Pope Leo XIV has urged the Catholic Church to strengthen its support for migrants and refugees, particularly displaced children, as wars, violence, natural disasters and declining international aid deepen humanitarian challenges worldwide, Vatican News reported.
In a video message released on November 10 to the Council of the International Catholic Commission for Migration (ICMC), meeting in Rome from November 10 to 12, the Pope called for renewed commitment to protecting the dignity and rights of people forced to leave their homes.
The meeting coincides with the ICMC's 75th anniversary. Founded in 1951 by Pope Pius XII, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini, who later became Pope Paul VI, and American layman James Norris, the commission brings together representatives of national bishops' conferences and local Churches from around the world.
“I urge you to persevere in your noble and important mission of strengthening the Church’s services to welcome, protect, promote and integrate migrants, refugees and returnees,” Pope Leo said.
He expressed particular concern for displaced children, whose numbers continue to increase, and encouraged the commission to find new ways to address their needs.
The Pope stressed the importance of working with countries of origin to address the causes that force children to flee, while ensuring their protection and welcome in countries of transit and destination.
Pope Leo also encouraged the ICMC to defend the God-given dignity of migrants and refugees through cooperation with other faith-based organizations and civil society groups.
Reflecting on the wider humanitarian situation, he noted that wars, violence, injustice, natural disasters and growing social and economic inequalities were forcing millions of people to leave their homes and countries.
These developments create serious humanitarian and social challenges not only in countries of origin but also in those through which migrants travel and where they seek refuge.
The Pope expressed concern that declining funding for international protection and assistance was further aggravating the situation.
Against this backdrop, he emphasized the need to promote understanding, dialogue and solidarity among communities and nations.
Referring to his apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te, Pope Leo recalled the Christian responsibility to recognize Christ in people experiencing rejection and exclusion.
“In every rejected migrant it is Christ himself who knocks at the door,” he said.
The Pope's message came as the ICMC gathered for its plenary meeting to examine global migration trends and the challenges facing the Church in responding to the growing needs of migrants, refugees and displaced populations.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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