Dear brothers and sisters,

Good morning!

I would like to thank the Minister and the Director of this Center for their kind words.

Today in the Church, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For Christians, Jesus’ heart symbolizes God’s merciful and infinite love for every human being. In this context, it is providential that we can come together, see one another and, above all, recognize that, no matter where we come from, God’s love knows no borders, makes no distinctions, is given to all and brings us together in unity.

As I look at your faces and listen to your stories, I also think of your hearts — wounded by so many difficulties, yet also comforted by the love you have received from other open, generous and merciful hearts. Christ’s heart suffered and was pierced out of love, and he was also comforted by compassionate people who eased his pain.

Jesus explained the universality of love by using an example of an act of service: a stranger from a foreign town and another religion took pity on a wounded and mistreated man (cf. Lk 10:25–37). Motivated by the love of God, which urges us to heal others’ wounds and to be charitable toward those who suffer, Saint Brother Peter and Saint Joseph of Anchieta set sail from these Canary Islands to preach the Gospel in America, opening new missionary horizons. They too were migrants who ventured into the unknown, carrying faith, hope and charity as their greatest possessions.

In those unknown lands, the holy migrants and missionaries shared what they had and likewise welcomed the new things that were offered to them. I also invite you to share the treasures of your humanity, of your dreams and of your culture, which you have brought to these islands, and to be open to receiving what is offered to you. We must live this exchange responsibly, considering the future generations to whom we wish to bequeath the heritage of a civilization of love. Migration will play an important role in this, as it “can become an opportunity for encounter and mutual enrichment among peoples” (Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas, 81).

Dear brothers and sisters, in a sense, all of us are migrants, for we are all pilgrims on our way to our heavenly homeland. Let us help make this journey more humane for everyone by contributing in whatever way we can. In this regard, I am grateful for the collaboration of the government, various institutions and the many men and women of goodwill whose collaboration makes this concrete humanitarian aid possible, restoring hope and giving dignity to so many people.

The name of this reception center, Las Raíces, “the roots,” caught my attention. My predecessor, Pope Francis, who so longed to be with you, liked to use the image of roots to emphasize the importance of remembering our origins, staying united and trusting in the Lord. “For those who trust in the Lord are ‘like a tree planted by water sending out its roots by the stream; it shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green’ (Jer 17:8)” (Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit, 133). May this image of roots also help you to be firmly rooted in the Lord (cf. Col 2:7), so that no storm may drive you away from his presence, which strengthens and gives life.

Dear friends, I carry you in my heart and will remember you in my prayers. May God bless you, your families and all who do good to you. And may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Consolation of Migrants, always accompany and assist you with her maternal protection. Thank you very much.