Vatican City: Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has underlined the Catholic Church’s unique moral authority and grassroots presence in advancing the dignity and rights of migrants. She spoke following a private audience with Pope Leo XIV on Thursday in the Apostolic Palace, where both leaders discussed the urgent challenges posed by global migration and the worsening humanitarian crisis.
In her conversation with Vatican News after the papal meeting, Ms. Pope described a troubling reality: more people are being displaced than ever before, yet funding to support them is shrinking. “The need is quite high and in fact growing as a result of conflict, climate disaster, and poverty. But unfortunately, many donor governments have cut humanitarian support,” she said.
According to IOM, the cuts have already affected around nine million people who either lost aid or now receive drastically reduced assistance. “From a human perspective, the impacts are catastrophic,” Pope added. She noted that the Church and international agencies must work together to advocate for renewed global commitment and to counter polarization around migration.
The IOM Director General welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s insistence that migrants are “messengers of hope,” saying his words echo deeply in a time of division. “There’s resonance in the Church’s message that migration is part of the Christian journey. Our task is to tell those stories, to build awareness, and to create inclusive communities,” she said.
She emphasized that the Church, through its parishes and local communities, brings the issue of migration from abstract politics to tangible human experience. “At the grassroots level, you can see clearly how a parish or community can transform fear into solidarity. That’s where the Church’s example is most powerful,” she said.
Ms. Pope is also attending the Vatican-hosted conference “Refugees & Migrants in Our Common Home,” which focuses on migration education and awareness-building. She explained that one of her goals is to reframe migration debates around human dignity rather than fear.
“We all share migration in our history. We all share common human needs. Universities and students can play a role in countering misinformation with facts, such as the reality that most migrants stay within their region and that low-income countries host the majority of displaced people,” she said.
By highlighting research, building advocacy, and involving local communities, Ms. Pope hopes to mobilize a new generation of leaders to approach migration with compassion and practical solutions.
Reflecting on her meeting with Pope Leo XIV, the IOM leader said the Pope’s voice sustains international efforts in two ways: by offering moral authority in an age of political division, and by mobilizing local parishes for practical outreach.
“The Church brings credibility and moral authority, but it also acts on the ground through parishes, schools, and communities. That’s where the real change happens,” she explained.
Ms. Pope concluded by stressing that the partnership between the Church and IOM is “critical” for creating a global response that is not only effective but also deeply human. “Migration may appear threatening when viewed globally, but when you see it locally in a parish or in a neighborhood you realize it is about supporting human lives. That’s where the Church’s presence makes the difference.”