Pope Francis at Angelus: special care for migrant
children
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis appealed for better treatment
of child-migrants on Sunday. Speaking to pilgrims and tourists gathered in St.
Peter’s Square to pray the Angelus with him, the Holy Father
renewed his call for prayerful and concrete solidarity with minors forced to
flee their homelands – especially for the children and adolescents forced to
flee on their own, without the company of parents or older relatives.
“It is necessary to take every possible measure to ensure
protection and defense to migrant children,” Pope Francis said, “as well as
their integration,” into host societies. “These, our brothers and sisters,
especially if unaccompanied, are exposed to many dangers,” the Pope said –
dangers that include being taken and sold into slavery – often sexual slavery.
January 15th is the 103rd iteration
of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which this year is focused
particularly on the plight of the youngest migrants under the theme: Child
Migrants, the Vulnerable and the Voiceles.
Pope Francis offered special greetings in this regard to the
representatives of the many different ethnic communities present in the
city and in St. Peter’s Square for the occasion, particularly those of Catholic
Rome. “Dear friends, I hope that you are able to live peacefully in the places
that welcome you,” the Holy Father said, “respecting their laws and traditions
and, at the same time, maintaining the values of your cultures of origin.” The
Pope went on to say, “The encounter of different cultures is always an enrichment
for everyone.”
Offering thanks to the Migrantes office of
the Diocese of Rome and those who work with migrants to welcome them and
accompany them in their difficulties, and encouraging everyone so committed to
continue in their work, Pope Francis commended the example of St. Frances
Xavier Cabrini, the patron saint of migrants, who passed into eternal life 100
years ago this year. “This courageous sister dedicated her life to bringing the
love of Christ to those who were far from home and family,” he said, “Her
witness,” said Pope Francis, “helps us to take care of the brother from a
far-off land, in whom Jesus is present, often suffering, rejected and
humiliated.”
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