Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has announced the theme for the 2026 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, placing special focus on children who are forced to move from their homes.
The theme, “Even just one of these children,” will guide the 112th edition of the annual observance, which will be marked on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The announcement was made by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
The theme is inspired by the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus says that whoever welcomes a child in his name welcomes him. Through this message, the Pope is calling attention to the need to care for children affected by migration and to protect their dignity and rights.
According to the Vatican statement, the Church wants to remind the world that even one child matters. The growing challenges faced by migrant children today require urgent and meaningful action. The statement also stressed that the issue should not be reduced to numbers, but seen in terms of human dignity.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to release a detailed message on the theme in the weeks leading up to the day.
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees has a long history in the Church. It began in 1914 when Pope Pius X encouraged prayers for migrants during a time of large scale migration from Italy. His successor, Pope Benedict XV, later established a special day to support migrants both spiritually and materially.
Over time, the observance became more global. In 2004, the Church officially included refugees in the celebration. Pope John Paul II played a key role in shaping the day by issuing annual messages from 1985, urging greater awareness and action.
In 2018, Pope Francis moved the observance to the last Sunday of September, where it continues to be celebrated by Catholics around the world.
The 2026 theme highlights a clear message from the Church that every child on the move deserves care, protection and welcome.