Pope Francis has called for migration policies to center the human person and their dignity. Likewise, he has urged work to eliminate poverty and other causes that push migrants to escape their countries.
The Holy Father referred to this in his message to the participants in the VIII Festival of Migration, which takes place from October 25 to 28 in Modena and other cities in the Italian region of Emilia, with the theme Liberi di partere, liberi di restare [Free to leave, free to stay]. Among the organizers is the Fondazione Migrantes, of the Italian Episcopal Conference.
In his text, the Pontiff thanks that the theme of the event is inspired by his message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees in 2023, “dedicated to the freedom to choose whether to migrate or stay.”
In that sense, he reaffirms, it is necessary to “guarantee everyone the right not to have to migrate”, since – as the message of the 2023 Day points out – “migrants escape due to poverty, fear, desperation. To eliminate these causes and finally put an end to forced migrations, the common work of everyone is necessary, each one according to their own responsibilities.”
Thus, Pope Francis explained to the participants of the event, that the responses to today’s migration challenges “can only be complex, global and long-term.”
And these solutions involve immigration programs and policies that have “the human person” as their center, with special attention to the “most vulnerable, such as women and minors.”
“In fact, the principle of the primacy of the human person and his inviolable dignity obliges us to always put personal security before national security,” says Francis, who throughout his pontificate has placed special emphasis on migratory crises. and its consequences.
“Jesus Christ,” remember, “asks us not to give in to the logic of the world, which justifies abusing others to achieve our personal benefit or that of our group: first me and then others! Instead, the true motto of the Christian is “last first!”
In that sense, Pope Francis encourages “to develop concrete proposals to promote regular and safe migration.” “In this line,” he explains, “it is necessary to multiply efforts to combat criminal networks that speculate on the dreams of migrants. But it is equally necessary to indicate safer paths.’”
The Pontiff points out that the commitment to the right not to migrate must also include measures such as “stopping the arms race, economic colonialism, the plundering of other people’s resources, and the devastation of our common home.”
“May the Lord bless your work and, through the intercession of the Most Holy Mary, always support your commitment to welcome, protect, promote and integrate all migrants and refugees who knock on our door,” concludes Pope Francis.