In a reflective moment of the Synod of Synodality, Pope Francis presided over a liturgy and time of prayer in St. Peter’s Square on behalf of migrants and refugees.
“Like the Good Samaritan, we are called to become neighbors to all today’s pedestrians, to save their lives, heal their wounds, alleviate their pain. Migrants have to be welcomed, protected, promoted and integrated. This is a long-term responsibility,” urged Peter’s Successor this Thursday, during the event .
The Holy Father began the moment of prayer around 7:15 pm (local time) with the sign of the cross, invoking the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, in front of the sculpture “ Angels Unawares ” ( Angels Unaware ) by artist Timotny Schmalz, who depicts a diverse group of migrants.
Then, one of the readers, addressed the dozens of faithful and members of the clergy present with these words: “We gathered this afternoon in St. Peter’s Square, near the ‘Angels Unawares’ monument to pray for all those who have lost life along the various migratory routes, for their families, for those who have survived and for all the refugees and migrants who are still on their way.”
Next, Pope Francis began a prayer:
Let’s pray.
Lord, for whom no one is a foreigner
and no one is far away to receive help,
look kindly on the fugitives and exiles,
on the segregated men and children,
so that you may grant them the return to their homeland
and that you may give us effective charity
towards the needy and strangers.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
R/. Amen.
Next, a priest read the Good Samaritan passage from the Gospel according to Saint Luke. At the end, the Holy Father gave a reflection.
“The road that led from Jerusalem to Jericho was not a safe route, nor are the numerous migratory routes that cross deserts, forests, rivers and seas today,” said the Pontiff.
And he continued: “How many are assaulted, stripped and beaten along the way? They are deceived by unscrupulous traffickers, then sold as merchandise, kidnapped, imprisoned, exploited and turned into slaves. They are humiliated, tortured and violated. And many die without ever reaching their destination.”
As noted by the Pontiff, “the migratory routes of our time are populated by wounded and abandoned men and women, half dead, by brothers whose pain cries out before the presence of God.” “They are often people escaping war and terrorism, as we unfortunately see these days,” he lamented.
In this context, the Holy Father recalled that what the Gospel proposes is to put into practice “compassion”, which he described as the “imprint of God in our hearts.” “God’s style is closeness, compassion and tenderness. “This is the key, this is the turning point,” he highlighted.
He also invited training “for the challenges of current migration, understanding its criticalities, but also the opportunities they offer, with a view to the growth of more inclusive, more beautiful, more peaceful societies.”
“We must all commit to making the road safer, so that today’s travelers do not fall victim to bandits. It is necessary to multiply efforts to combat criminal networks that speculate on the dreams of migrants and indicate safer routes,” he added.
For the Holy Father, in the current world scenario, “it is evident that it is necessary to connect demographic and economic policies with migration policies for the benefit of all people involved, without ever forgetting to put the most vulnerable at the center.”
“It is also necessary to promote a common and co-responsible approach in the management of migratory flows, which seem destined to increase in the coming years,” he continued.
At the end of his reflection, Pope Francis invited a brief moment of silence to remember “all those who did not make it, who lost their lives on the different migratory routes and those who were used and enslaved.”
Later, he began the presentation of the prayer intentions, remembering that “every day of our lives is a grace from the Lord, an opportunity placed in our hands to do good and build the Kingdom of God.”
At this point, the Lord was asked especially for the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, for the Church, for the victims of the migratory routes, for refugees and migrants, and finally for peace.
Pope Francis concluded the moment of prayer with an Our Father and the apostolic blessing.