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Pope Francis: ‘Migrants teach us the virtue of hope’

 

 MRO DG 202410 PopeScalabrinians

Source: Lisa Zengarini | Vatican News

29 October 2024

In his meeting with the Scalabrinian Missionaries on the occasion of their 16th General Chapter, Pope Francis reaffirms that migrants escaping poverty, injustices, and wars must be welcomed, accompanied, promoted, and integrated. He also said that our ageing societies need them.

Reiterating his call for a compassionate response to migration challenges, the Pope denounced once more the prevalent “indifference” to the plight of refugees and migrants in today's world, which is “aggravated by the closing of borders,” as well as the increasing hostility against them.  

The Scalabrinians chose the 2025 Jubilee theme “Pilgrims of Hope” as their focal theme this year. From this, the Pope reflected on the virtue of hope in light of their three ministry aspects: charity, pastoral care, and migrants. He then elaborated on the following key themes:

  • Migration can be a precious school of faith and humanity 
  • Pastoral closeness to migrants 
  • Ageing developed societies need migrants 
  • Rejecting exclusivist stereotypes 

In his closing remarks, the Pope acknowledged the vibrancy of the Scalabrinian charism and urged them to deepen the mission that St John Baptist Scalabrini had entrusted to them more than a century ago.

FULL STORY: Pope to Scalabrinians: ‘Migrants teach us the virtue of hope’  (Lisa Zengarini | Vatican News)