Pope Francis has reflected on the many difficulties faced by migrants in today’s world, emphasizing the urgent need for safe migration pathways.
He also highlighted the importance of a common and co-responsible approach to governing migration flows, as these are expected to increase in the years ahead.
Migrants’ Plight: Vulnerable and Exploited
The Pope acknowledged the hardships experienced by migrants, including exploitation by traffickers, kidnapping, imprisonment, enslavement, humiliation, torture, and rape.
He lamented the tragic fate of those for whom it is too late, and the Mediterranean often becomes their grave.
Lessons from the Good Samaritan Parable
Drawing inspiration from the parable of the Good Samaritan, Pope Francis underscored the message of compassion.
He called for individuals to be neighbors to contemporary wayfarers, saving lives, healing wounds, and alleviating suffering. The Pope emphasized that the Lord knows each migrant’s face and does not forget it.
A Moment of Silence for the Lost and Exploited
The reflection concluded with Pope Francis asking for a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives or endured enslavement and exploitation on migration routes.
Intercessory Prayers and Blessing
The intercessory prayers were offered by three refugees from Cameroon, Ukraine, and El Salvador, along with two officials from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The gathering concluded with the recitation of the Our Father prayer, followed by the Pope’s blessing.
Pope Francis’s message highlights the need for compassion and practical action in addressing the challenges faced by migrants in the modern world.
Religion News