Pope Francis released his message for next year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees entitled “Church Without Frontiers, Mother to All”.

Pope: Migrants and refugees have a privileged place in the heart of the Church

Pope Francis released his message for next year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees entitled “Church Without Frontiers, Mother to All”. 

 
It  reflects on the hardships faced by migrants and refugees, and encourages the Church to “take on new commitments of solidarity, communion and evangelization”.
 
Cardinal Antonio Maria Vegliò, president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Refugees, spoke on the significance of the Pope’s message in this time, where immigration and the plight of refugees has affected the world on a global scale. 
 
CARD. ANTONIO MARIA VEGLIÓ
Pontifical Council for Migrants and Refugees
“The message has two aspects, two points on which it focuses on: the world of immigration and the world of refugees.”
 
The message also stresses that while cooperation is necessary to provide more humane conditions for migrants, greater efforts must be made to improve conditions that compel people to leave their homeland. 
 
Cardinal Vegliò highlighted Pope Francis’ call to migrants and refugees to not lose their faith and hope in the midst of difficulties.
 
CARD. ANTONIO MARIA VEGLIÓ
Pontifical Council for Migrants and Refugees
“This is very beautiful, despite the difficulties that we recognize of this problem. The Pope says clearly that they have a privileged place in the Church. Precisely because they are those who are most in need, because they are the most vulnerable.”
 
The Cardinal also said that upcoming Synod on the Family will discuss the difficulty of reuniting families who have been separated due to migration. 
 
CARD. ANTONIO MARIA VEGLIÓ
Pontifical Council for Migrants and Refugees
“The reunion, the reunification of the family is truly a tragedy. When the husband leaves for example, it is difficult for the family to remain united. So, the problem of reunification will be examined. “
 
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be held on January 18th, 2015.