During his visit to the Archdiocese of Paris, Pope Leo XIV met with migrants and refugees at Maison Bakhita, a Catholic social support and integration center. The encounter took place against the backdrop of France’s ongoing debate surrounding immigration, a major political issue ahead of the country’s upcoming presidential elections. Addressing staff and beneficiaries on the center’s fifth anniversary, the Holy Father emphasized the crucial role of mutual care, stating that Saint Bakhita’s legacy inspires a “civilization of love” as an alternative to “a culture that tears communities apart and leaves cities sick with loneliness.”
During the visit, the Pope listened to personal testimonies of faith and resilience from those served by local Catholic charities. Blessing, a 31-year-old Nigerian woman supported by the charity Aux Captifs, la Libération, shared her journey of escaping forced exploitation to secure stable employment at a restaurant. Expressing her unwavering trust in God through hardship, she reflected, “Even amidst the difficulties I have experienced, I never doubted His presence and knew that one day He would open a new path for me.”
The Pontiff also heard from Meysam, a 35-year-old Afghan refugee who used the center’s resources to master French and refine his sewing skills. Meysam now serves as a volunteer, reaching out to undocumented refugees and exiles on the streets of Paris to give back the support he received. Maison Bakhita—named after Saint Josephine Bakhita, a former enslaved child from Sudan—has welcomed over 2,500 individuals from 84 nationalities since opening in September 2021, driven by five permanent staff members and 100 dedicated volunteers.
Pope Leo XIV expressed his gratitude to the center’s staff, volunteers, and similar institutions across France for their tireless service. He encouraged them to continue fostering integration, dialogue, and spiritual uplifting through training programs and compassionate care, praying that Saint Bakhita and France’s historical witnesses of charity intercede to make the world more humane during times of societal change.