This 24 September, after reciting the Angelus prayer, the Pope addressed his reflections on the International Day of Migrants and Refugees, on the theme “Free to choose whether to migrate or stay”, to remind us that migration must be a free choice and never the only choice. This is why we are all called to create communities ready and open to welcome, promote, accompany and integrate those who knock on our doors.

After the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters!

Today is World Day of Migrants and Refugees, on the theme: “Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay”, to recall that to migrate should be a free choice, and never the only one possible. Indeed, the right to migrate has now become an obligation for many, whereas there ought to exist the right to not emigrate, to remain in one’s own country. It is necessary for every man and woman to be guaranteed the right to live a dignified life in the society in which they find themselves. Unfortunately, poverty, wars and the climate crisis force so many people to flee. Therefore, we are all required to create communities that are ready and open to welcome, promote, accompany and integrate those who knock on our doors.

This challenge was at the centre of the Rencontres Méditerranéennes, which took place in recent days in Marseille, and in whose concluding session I participated yesterday, travelling to the city, a crossroads of peoples and cultures.

I give special thanks to the bishops of the Italian Episcopal Conference who do everything they can to help our migrant brothers and sisters. We have just heard Archbishop Baturi on television, in the programme “A Sua Immagine” explaining this.

I greet you all, Romans and pilgrims from Italy and many countries, in particular the Redemptoris Mater international diocesan seminary of Cologne, in Germany. Likewise I greet the group of people affected by the rare disease known as ataxia, with their family members.

I renew my invitation to participate in the ecumenical prayer vigil, entitled “Together”, which will take place on this coming Saturday 30 September in Saint Peter’s Square, in preparation for the Synodal Assembly which will begin on 4 October.

Let us recall beleaguered Ukraine, and pray for this people that is suffering so much.

I wish you all a good Sunday. Please, do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch, and arrivederci!