Pope invites all to 'Share the Journey' of migrants
and refugees
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has loudly and
clearly welcomed migrants, refugees and asylum seekers while expressing his
support and gratitude for the Caritas Internationalis' “Share
the Journey” campaign.
Speaking during his weekly General
Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, the Pope also had
special words of welcome for Caritas representatives gathered to officially
launch the two-year campaign aimed at activism and awareness-raising about the
plight of migrants,
Listen to migrants' stories
The campaign encourages people to actually meet with
migrants and listen to their stories, rather than treat them as mere numbers
and statistics imbued with negative stereotypes.
Opening his arms wide in a powerfully symbolic gesture,
Francis said “Christ urges us to welcome our brothers and sisters with our arms
truly open, ready for a sincere embrace, a loving and enveloping embrace”.
Open arms to embrace
And pointing to the beautiful Bernini colonnade that
encircles St. Peter's Square, he said our embrace of migrants should mimic the
colonnade “which represents mother Church who embraces everyone by sharing in
our common journey”.
The Pope thanked Caritas members and other Church
organizations for their constant commitment in favour of migrants saying that
they are the sign of an “open, inclusive and welcoming Church.”
Culture of welcome and encounter
The campaign launched on Wednesday aims to challenge
negative myths and perceptions regarding migrants through websites featuring
the stories of individuals, the true impact of immigration and
explanations of Church teaching on the culture of encounter.
Caritas Internationalis is asking Catholics to take public
action in support of migrants, posting pro-immigrant messages on social media
and participating in programmes where they can meet migrants and
refugees.
Public action, new legilsation
In his greetings to all those who work to support and
advocate for migrants and refugees the Pope also welcomed a petition which is
vying for new legislation on migration "which is more pertinent to the
current context."
After the Audience Pope Francis personally greeted a group
of some 50 refugees who were in the Square for the occasion.
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