Migrants and refugees, according to the Pope, embody the strong belief that happiness can still be found, as he states in a recent message.
Pope Leo XIV's Message: Migrants as Missionaries of Hope
On the feast of St. James, the apostle, Pope Leo XIV released a message focusing on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, with the theme "Migrants, missionaries of hope."
In his message, the pope emphasised the importance of a future of peace and respect for everyone's dignity as essential to God's plan for humanity and the rest of creation. He wrote, "The search for happiness is one of the main motivations for the movement of people today."
The pope entrusted all those who are on the move to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary, comfort of migrants, and described them as "messengers of hope" in a world darkened by war and injustice. He reminded the faithful not to neglect showing hospitality to strangers, quoting from the New Testament's Letter to the Hebrews.
The current global context is marked by wars, violence, injustice, and extreme weather events, forcing millions to migrate. The pope did not shy away from addressing the challenges of the present and future, including the ongoing climate crisis, economic inequalities, and the prospect of a renewed arms race.
He wrote about the potential danger of a renewed arms race and the development of new armaments, including nuclear weapons, stating that the widespread tendency to prioritise limited communities threatens global cooperation, the common good, and solidarity for the entire human family.
The pope believed that the presence of Catholic migrants and refugees should be recognised and appreciated as a "true divine blessing." He highlighted countries like Germany and Egypt, where Catholic refugees and migrants have enlivened church communities. In Germany, refugee networks through church asylum actively support local parishes, while in Egypt, Sudanese Catholic refugees notably engage strongly in church initiatives, bringing vitality to these communities.
Pope Leo XIV concluded his message by reiterating that God has placed the desire for happiness in the heart of every human being. He encouraged Catholic migrants and refugees to become "missionaries of hope" in the countries that welcome them, stating that each time the church ceases to be a "civitas peregrine," or a people journeying towards the heavenly homeland, she ceases to be "in the world" and becomes "of the world," citing St. Augustine.
The English and Spanish texts of the pope's message can be found at the Vatican's official website.
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