10 April 2026
“Even just one of these children” is the theme chosen by Pope Leo XIV for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), which will be marked on Sunday, 27 September 2026.
The theme focuses on minors on the move, recalling the duty to welcome each one of them, as the Gospel teaches us. It also refers to Matthew 18:5: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
In a statement, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) emphasises: “With this choice, the Holy Father intends to express the Church’s concern for minors directly involved in migration, recalling the duty to welcome each one of them, as the Gospel teaches us.”
The DPIHD also notes that this is “not the first time that the Popes have spoken authoritatively on this issue, but the current migration situation presents new challenges that seriously threaten the rights and dignity of the youngest among us and require urgent and effective responses. Therefore, this is not a matter of discussing numbers or percentages, because ‘even just one’ has the highest value.”
ACMRO will soon publish an online resources webpage featuring articles, videos, and liturgical materials for parishes and primary and secondary schools to mark the celebration of WDMR 2026.
Download the official English version of the WDMR poster from the DPIHD here.
With acknowledgement and thanks to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and Vatican News, where this article originally appeared.