Pope Leo XIV: 'The cry of displaced children rises to God'
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
"The cry of displaced children rises to God today," Pope Leo said in his Message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which the Church observes on September 27th. The Pope's message was released today by the Holy See Press Office.
This year's day features the theme “Even just one of these children,” from the Gospel according to St. Matthew.
Pope Leo XIV began his Message by insisting that the title “Even just one of these children,” draws our attention to the minors directly involved in the experience of migration and flight, to the care owed to them, and to the Lord’s promise that “whoever receives one such child in my name receives Me” (Mk 9:37).
Minors are most vulnerable group
The Holy Father recalled that minors are the most vulnerable group within the global movements of migration and observed the suffering of migrant children does not end with their relocation.
He remembered very young children who have lost parents, brothers, sisters and friends, and who have witnessed unspeakable acts of violence; others who have been separated from their families for long periods; and minors, even if making the journey together with their parents, exposed to extreme and traumatic conditions.
"Finally," he continued, "we cannot forget the tragic situation of those separated from their parents because of repatriation."
The Pope also deplored the many deaths along migration routes; trafficking and exploitation; the recruitment of minors for use in armed conflicts; sexual violence; forced marriages; and the atrocities they have suffered or witnessed during their travels.
Dignity trampled
"Their dignity," he said, "is trampled upon in countless ways."
Yet, amid so much darkness, Pope Leo expressed gratitude to the many individuals, families, civil institutions, and ecclesial communities who "choose not to pass by on the other side" and instead offer solidarity.
Before this tragic reality, the Pope noted his thoughts turn to the words of Jesus that profoundly challenge our consciences: “Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me.”
The Pope said it is not a question of numbers or statistics.
"The Gospel," he recalled, "invites us not to calculate: even one. Every child, every human being, possesses an infinite dignity."
An act of humanity and faith
"Before every migrant child," he underscored, "we are called to make an act of humanity and faith, for we are able to welcome and encounter the Lord."
Sadly, the Pope lamented, migrant children are more easily ignored, because they lack adults capable of protecting and supporting them.
For this reason, he insisted, "It is necessary to intervene in their countries of origin in order to remove the causes that compel them to flee, while at the same time offering protection and welcome in the countries of transit and destination."
"The cry of displaced children rises to God today, just as did the cry heard in the Book of Exodus," he said, noting, "We cannot remain indifferent, nor can we become accustomed to such suffering."
Meanwhile, in our personal lives, he said, we are "to open our eyes and heart to a profound listening to his or her story, fears and dreams, overcoming that detachment which reduces the human person to a statistic that does not directly concern us."
"It is an invitation," the Pope urged, "to recognize the dignity of each child, even before considering the condition of being a 'migrant,' and to safeguard his or her fundamental rights: the right to life, education and a standard of living that enables full physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development."
Appeals in the face of this phenomenon
In the life of the Church, he said that we are called "to transform welcoming from an abstract concept" into "a stable pastoral practice."
The Holy Father said we cannot simply delegate this task to institutes or associations endowed with a particular charism.
"Before the concrete faces that confront us in daily life," the Holy Father exhorted, "the entire Christian community is called to regard these children as its own sons and daughters, and to engage with the concrete story of each one of them."
Christian communities, he said, should be encouraged to promote the integration of refugees and migrants and to value them as full members of the ecclesial family.
"Even just one of these children, within the horizon of the different religions," he next observed, "reminds us that the vulnerability of the young knows no religious boundaries and unites us in a shared humanitarian and spiritual responsibility."
He emphasized that this becomes fertile ground for a concrete interreligious dialogue, in which believers, drawing upon their own sense of transcendence, cooperate in weaving networks of protection.
"Faith communities," he stated, "are called to create spaces in which every boy and every girl is respected and valued in his or her own cultural identity, thereby preventing the risk of radicalization by extremist groups."
Urgent change of perspective required
"Even just one of these children, in the context of civil institutions," he continued, "calls us to reaffirm the principle of the best interests of the child."
Calling on public and private institutions, which "are bound to prioritize the protection and dignity of every single child and adolescent", the Pope said, "This requires the adoption of effective legal instruments of protection, the promotion of family reunification, and the prevention of the trauma caused by separation."
"An urgent change of perspective is needed," he said: "The focus of the debate must shift from the mere management of migration to the full and immediate protection of human rights, adopting 'a coordinated, supportive and effective response, capable of guaranteeing protection, welcome and genuine opportunities for integration to those who migrate.”'
Pope Leo XIV concluded by praying, "Let us entrust migrant and refugee children to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary who, together with Saint Joseph and the child Jesus experienced the cruelty of Herod’s violence and the tragedy of exile in Egypt. May she accompany their steps and help our communities to become living and credible signs of the Gospel."
