Vatican City: In his message for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Leo XIV has described migrants and refugees as powerful “witnesses of hope,” whose perseverance in the face of hardship speaks to the human spirit’s resilience and to God’s promise of peace. In a world battered by war, inequality, and displacement, the Pope called on the faithful to recognize in migrants not a burden, but a blessing.
This year’s observance will take place on October 4–5, coinciding with the Jubilee of Migrants and Missions, instead of the traditional date in late September. The World Day, which invites Catholics to stand in solidarity with displaced people, comes amid sobering global realities over 123 million people were forcibly displaced by the end of 2024, according to the United Nations.
Pope Leo’s message begins with a sober reflection on the global landscape, which he describes as teetering on the edge of catastrophe. With the rise of new arms races, escalating climate threats, and deepening economic inequalities, he warns that the dream of a peaceful and just future feels increasingly fragile.
“Humanity is standing before disturbing prospects,” he writes. “The temptation to prioritize narrow national or communal interests threatens the very foundation of global cooperation and solidarity.”
Yet, amid this grim backdrop, Pope Leo insists that the thirst for peace must be rekindled. “There must be a renewed yearning in every heart for a future where dignity is upheld and peace prevails,” he says, citing the Book of Zechariah as a reminder that Christians are called to hope in God’s unbreakable promises.
Migrants and refugees, the Pope emphasizes, are living examples of this hope. Uprooted by war, persecution, and poverty, they embody a courageous pursuit of a better future. Their journey, Pope Leo notes, reflects the deep human desire for happiness a longing that God himself has placed in every heart.
“These men, women, and children are not just victims,” he writes. “They are heralds of hope, resilient in suffering, trusting in divine providence, and determined to believe in life beyond loss.”
Even in the bleakest circumstances, migrants radiate faith, he adds faith that defies death, crossing deserts, seas, and hostile borders. Much like the people of Israel in the scriptures, they journey in search of a promised land not just for survival, but for dignity and fulfillment.
The Pope also emphasizes that hope is not one-sided. Communities that open their doors and hearts to migrants become living testimonies to the Gospel. By embracing strangers as brothers and sisters, these communities witness to a present and future where every person is valued as a child of God.
“When welcomed, migrants can contribute their talents, renew social bonds, and fully participate in building vibrant communities,” he writes.
Beyond the social and political dimensions, Pope Leo XIV highlights the spiritual importance of migrants. Their presence reminds the Church of her true identity: a pilgrim people, always on the move toward the Kingdom of God.
Catholic migrants, he says, are often the spark that rekindles faith in places where spiritual life has grown cold. “With their vitality and joy, they are missionaries of hope in lands that have forgotten how to dream,” he affirms.
He urges the Church to support this “missio migrantium” a mission carried out by migrants themselves through proper formation, pastoral support, and collaboration between dioceses. In places suffering from “spiritual desertification,” migrants can infuse new life and purpose.
In closing, Pope Leo invites the Church to see migrants not as a challenge, but as a divine opportunity a chance to welcome grace and be transformed by it. “Their presence is a blessing,” he writes. “Through them, God is breathing new hope into His people.”
With this message, Pope Leo XIV calls for a renewed commitment to justice, compassion, and solidarity anchored in the conviction that every human being carries the imprint of God’s hope, even in the midst of displacement and despair.