Pope Leo XIV has called on the Catholic Church to strengthen its support for migrants, refugees and displaced children, urging greater efforts to protect vulnerable people fleeing wars, violence and natural disasters.
The Pope appealed in a video message released on November 10 to participants in the Plenary Meeting of the International Catholic Commission for Migration (ICMC), taking place in Rome from November 10 to 12.
He urged the organisation to continue strengthening the Church’s work in welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants, refugees and people returning to their countries of origin.
Pope Leo also expressed particular concern about the growing number of displaced children, calling for new ways to ensure their protection and care.
He stressed that addressing the situation requires cooperation with countries of origin to tackle the conditions forcing children to flee their homes. He also called for children to receive protection and support in countries they pass through and those where they eventually settle.
The ICMC is holding its meeting as it marks 75 years since its establishment in 1951. The organisation was founded by Pope Pius XII, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini, who later became Pope Paul VI, and American layman James Norris.
Its Council brings together representatives of national Catholic Bishops’ Conferences and local Churches from different parts of the world to discuss migration trends and the challenges facing migrants and refugees.
In his message, Pope Leo encouraged the commission to continue defending the God-given dignity of migrants and refugees. He also called for stronger cooperation with other religious organisations and civil society groups to improve support for displaced people.
The Pope acknowledged that the meeting was taking place at a difficult time for humanitarian assistance, with conflicts, violence, injustice, natural disasters and growing social and economic inequalities forcing millions of people to abandon their homes.
He warned that these developments were creating serious humanitarian and social challenges in countries of origin, transit and destination.
The situation, he added, was becoming more difficult because of declining funding for international protection and humanitarian assistance.
Against this background, Pope Leo highlighted the importance of promoting understanding, dialogue and solidarity between communities and countries.
Referring to his Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te, the Pope reminded participants of the Christian responsibility to care for vulnerable people, recalling its message that “in every rejected migrant it is Christ himself who knocks at the door.”
He encouraged the ICMC to remain committed to its mission and continue working towards a world where migrants, refugees and displaced children are treated with dignity, compassion and respect.