Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Thursday 12 December |
Aleteia logo
Church
separateurCreated with Sketch.

On World Refugee Day, Pope notes 4 duties

VATICAN-POPE-VISIT-LESBOS-IMMIGRATION

©FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / POOL / AFP

Pope Francis greets migrants and refugees at the Moria refugee camp on April 16, 2016 near the port of Mytilene, on the Greek island of Lesbos. Pope Francis received an emotional welcome today on the Greek island of Lesbos during a visit aimed at showing solidarity with migrants fleeing war and poverty. Pope Francis, Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Jerome visit Lesbos today to turn the spotlight on Europe's controversial deal with Turkey to end an unprecedented refugee crisis. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE

Kathleen N. Hattrup - published on 06/20/24

Pope Francis calls us to "turn an attentive and fraternal gaze" on all those who have to flee their homelands, and prays for governments to ensure humane conditions.

Help Aleteia continue its mission by making a tax-deductible donation. In this way, Aleteia's future will be yours as well.

Donate with just 3 clicks

*Your donation is tax deductible!

Pope Francis noted the United Nations’ commemoration of World Refugee Day, marked on June 20, 2024, and pointed out four duties shared by all.

The Pope spoke of the World Day at the end of the general audience on June 19.

He expressed his hope that the day would be “an occasion to turn an attentive and fraternal gaze to all those who are compelled to flee their homes in search of peace and security.”

“We are all required to welcome, promote, accompany, and integrate those who knock on our doors,” he said.

And he added: “I pray that States will strive to ensure humane conditions for refugees and to facilitate integration processes.”

Welcome … integrate

While the humane and charitable treatment of migrants and refugees is one of the Pope’s most often repeated exhortations, his message takes in to account the complexities of the situations.

The Holy Father always calls not only for welcome, but also for integration.

In 2017, for example, he shared a personal anecdote that points to the successful integration of a refugee in a host country.

“Governments have to manage this with the virtue proper to governance, which is prudence,” he said in introducing the example.

Meaning what? First, how many places do we have available? Second, not just to accept, but to integrate. Here in Italy, I have seen marvelous examples of integration. When I went to the Roma III University, four students asked me questions. While the last one was asking her question, I kept looking at her and thinking: “I know that face…” Less than a year ago, she had travelled with me on the plane from Lesbos. She learned Italian and because she was studying biology in her country, she did her equivalency and continued her studies. She learned the language. This is what it means to integrate.  

Read a beautiful first-person account of volunteering in Lesbos

The last of the series is linked here: Leaving Lesbos: I have walked a mile in the sandals of a refugee. At the bottom of this article are links to the other 10 parts of the series.

Tags:
Pope FrancisRefugeesUnited Nations
Aleteia exists thanks to your donations

Help us to continue our mission of sharing Christian news and inspiring stories. Please make a donation today! Take advantage of the end of the year to get a tax deduction for 2024.

2025-Aleteia-Pilgrimage-300×250-1.png
Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.