Pope Francis proclaimed the need for a more inclusive world on Sunday, reminding those listening to the recitation of the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square that it is World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which this year has as its theme “Towards an ever greater us”.
“It is necessary to walk together, without prejudice and without fear, standing next to those who are most vulnerable: migrants, refugees, displaced people, victims of trafficking, and abandoned,” the Holy Father said. “We are called to build an increasingly inclusive world that excludes no one.
“I join those who, in different parts of the world, are celebrating this Day; I greet the faithful gathered in Loreto for the initiative of the Italian Episcopal Conference in favor of migrants and refugees. I greet and thank the different ethnic communities present here in the square with their flags; I greet the representatives of the ‘APRI’ project of the Italian Caritas; as well as the Migrant Office of the Diocese of Rome and the Astalli Center. Thank you all for your generous commitment!”
© Vatican NewsThe Pope also encouraged those present to visit the monument to refugees in the square. It is a boat with immigrants.
“Go there, see that monument,” the Holy Father urged. “Let us not close the doors to their hope.”
The Pope also voiced his thoughts for those displaced in the Canary Islands, where more than 6,000 people have been evacuated due to the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano.
“I express closeness and solidarity to those who have been hit by the eruption of the volcano on La Palma Island, in the Canary Islands,” the Pope said. “I am thinking especially of those who have been forced to leave their homes. For these tried and true people and for those who are working in relief efforts, we pray to Our Lady, venerated on that Island as Our Lady of the Snows.”
