Bangalore: The Archdiocese of Bangalore has strengthened its mission of social outreach with the opening of a new Pope Francis Migrant’s Centre & Short Stay Home, a facility designed to provide comprehensive support to migrant workers and their families living in and around the city.
Located near Mathikere and established in collaboration with the Scalabrinian Missionaries, the centre will serve as a hub for pastoral care, counselling, legal assistance, skill-development programmes, emergency aid, and community-building initiatives. Church officials said the initiative reflects a growing need to accompany thousands of migrant families who continue to face instability, limited access to services, and economic hardships.
The centre was formally inaugurated on 3 December 2025, with the Inauguration Stone blessed by Cardinal Silvano Tomasi, joined by Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore. Addressing the gathering, Cardinal Tomasi described the new facility as a sign of the Church’s commitment to mercy in action.
“The Church becomes truly alive whenever she bends down to care for migrants,” he said. “Every gesture of welcome is a living Gospel.” He applauded the partnership between the Archdiocese and the Scalabrinian family, calling the centre “faith translated into concrete service.”
Karnataka’s Energy Minister Shri K.J. George, who attended the ceremony, shared a personal reflection on his own family’s long history of migration. Tracing his lineage back nearly 1,600 years to ancestors who travelled from Syria to Kerala, he said migration is woven into his identity.
“I know what it means to begin again,” he noted. “That is why I feel a deep connection with every migrant searching for hope.” He assured continued government support for the Church’s outreach, emphasizing the need to build a society where all migrant and local can live with dignity.
Church leaders involved in migrant welfare also addressed the attendees. Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur, Chairman of the CCBI Migrants Commission, stressed that migrants must always feel the presence of a caring community. “A migrant should never feel alone. The Church must be a home that listens, protects, and walks with them,” he said.
Fr. Leonir Chiarello, Superior General of the Scalabrinians, reaffirmed the congregation’s longstanding dedication to those on the move. “For over 130 years we have stood with migrants with compassion and expertise,” he said. “This centre continues that mission, ensuring no migrant remains unseen or unsupported.”
With its doors now open, the Pope Francis Migrant’s Centre aims to become a lifeline for families navigating life far from home offering not only services, but a sense of belonging and hope.