Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholics around the world to fulfill their moral and spiritual duty by welcoming and assisting migrants. Speaking at St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, the Pope appealed for the opening of the Jubilee of Migrants and the Missionary World, an event that drew more than 40,000 pilgrims.
He urged the faithful to make a clear choice between God and money, justice and injustice, reminding them that true faith is shown through compassion and fairness. According to him, people must use God’s blessings to create a more just and equal world where everyone can share in the Earth’s resources.
“To start everything afresh, the Jubilee also opens up the hope of a different distribution of wealth, the possibility that the Earth belongs to everyone, because in reality this is not the case,” Pope Leo said. He emphasized that hope requires choosing the path of righteousness, noting that the world can only change when individuals choose justice over greed.
A Nigerian-born Catholic faithful, Regina Ubiaco, expressed her joy at being part of the celebration. She said migrants felt proud to be united with the Pope, whom she described as “one of our own.” She added that his inclusive message gives migrants a sense of belonging and shared faith.
“Because in reality, he is also a migrant, though from another part of the world. And we are happy to be here to have this common sense of being together,” Ubiaco said. She explained that many migrants from across Italy gathered at St Peter’s Square to celebrate this day with the Pope.
On Sunday, Pope Leo reinforced his message, reminding Catholics that caring for migrants is an essential expression of faith and humanity. His words come just days after he criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies, which he described as “inhuman.”
The Pope’s call for compassion has been widely praised among Catholic communities and humanitarian organizations, as it highlights the Church’s ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals. His remarks serve as a poignant reminder that, in a world often divided by politics and borders, the Church’s mission remains to stand with the poor, the displaced, and the marginalized.
What did Pope Leo XIV urge Catholics to do during the Jubilee of Migrants?
He urged them to welcome, support, and show compassion to migrants as a core part of living out their faith and promoting justice.