Pope says migrants, refugees are more than mere figures

(January 16, 2013) Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday drew attention to the Catholic Church’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees urging that people on the move be not regarded as mere statistics. “Millions of people are involved in the phenomenon of migration, but they are not just numbers. They are men and women, children, young people and seniors who seek a place where to live in peace,” the Pope told in remarks after reciting his weekly midday ‘Angelus’ prayer with a large crowd in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square. Speaking from his studio window overlooking the square, the Holy Father recalled his message for the January 15 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, on the theme ‘Migrations and the New Evangelisation’. The Pope stressed that “migrants are not the only recipients but also main players in the proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world.” During his address, the Holy Father also greeted representatives of Rome’s migrant communities present in Saint Peter’s Square, along with tens of thousands of people. The 84-year old Pontiff also recalled that Christians worldwide would be marking the annual Week of prayer for Christian Unity from January 18 to 25. “I urge everyone, at a personal and communal level to join together spiritually, wherever possible and practical, to ask God for the gift of full unity among the disciples of Christ,” the Pope added.
Earlier, before the ‘Angelus’ Pope Benedict encouraged educators not only to help young people develop as humans, but also to respond to God’s call to priesthood and religious life. Recalling Sunday’s Mass readings of the call of Prophet Samuel and Jesus choosing his disciples, the Pope particularly urged priests and parents to be conscious “of the importance of their spiritual role” as “mediators” who help “people to recognise the voice of God and follow it.” The Pope said that the Christian faith, in and of itself, presupposes proclamation and witness. Hence, the call to follow Jesus more closely, giving up one’s family to dedicate oneself to the great family of the Church, normally requires the witness and proposal of an ‘older brother’, usually a priest. This however, the Holy Father said, does not mean forgetting the fundamental role played by parents, who, through their genuine and joyful faith and conjugal love show their children that building a life on God’s love is beautiful and possible.”