Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on governments, churches, communities and individuals to pay greater attention to children who are forced to leave their homes because of war, violence, poverty and other crises. In his message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, the Pope said the suffering of displaced children should never be treated as a distant problem or reduced to statistics.

The World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be observed on September 27, 2026. This year’s theme, “Even just one of these children,” is taken from the Gospel and places children at the centre of the Church’s concern for migrants and refugees.

Pope Leo said the theme is a reminder of the responsibility owed to children who experience migration and displacement. He pointed to Jesus’ teaching that welcoming even one child in his name is an act of welcoming Christ himself.

The Pope stressed that children are among the most vulnerable people caught up in migration movements around the world. Their suffering often continues long after they have left their homes. Many children lose parents, brothers, sisters and friends. Some witness violence and other traumatic events, while others are separated from their families for long periods.

Children who travel with their parents can also face extremely difficult and frightening conditions. Pope Leo also highlighted the painful situation of children who become separated from their parents because of repatriation.

The Pope expressed concern about the dangers faced by children along migration routes. These include death, human trafficking, exploitation, sexual violence, forced marriage and recruitment into armed conflicts. Many children are also forced to witness or experience violence during their journeys.

He said the dignity of these children is violated in many different ways. At the same time, he expressed gratitude to individuals, families, civil organisations and Church communities that refuse to ignore their suffering and instead offer practical support and solidarity.

For Pope Leo, the issue is not about numbers. He said every child has an infinite human dignity and deserves attention and protection. The world cannot decide that the suffering of one child matters less simply because the number of affected children is large.

He called on people to look beyond the label of migrant or refugee and first see the human being. Every displaced child has a story, fears and dreams that deserve to be heard.

The Pope urged people to open their eyes and hearts to the experiences of these children. He said society must protect their basic rights, including the right to life, education and living conditions that allow them to develop physically, mentally, spiritually, morally and socially.

Pope Leo also called for action in countries where migration begins. He said governments and international organisations must work to address the conditions that force families and children to flee. At the same time, children need protection and a welcoming environment in countries where they travel through and where they eventually settle.

He compared the cry of displaced children today with the cry heard in the Book of Exodus. The comparison was used to underline that suffering caused by displacement is not something that people can simply become accustomed to.

The Pope also appealed to the Catholic Church to make its welcome of migrants and refugees a permanent part of its pastoral work. He said responsibility for displaced children should not be left only to specialised organisations or Church groups.

Instead, he said the entire Christian community should see these children as its own and become involved in their individual stories. Churches should support the integration of migrant and refugee families and help them become full members of the communities where they live.

Pope Leo further stressed the importance of cooperation between different religions. The suffering of children, he said, does not belong to one religion or culture. The vulnerability of young people can bring different faith communities together around a shared responsibility to protect human life and dignity.

He encouraged religious communities to work together to create safe spaces where children can be respected while maintaining their cultural identities. Such efforts, he said, can also help prevent young people from becoming vulnerable to extremist groups.

The Pope also called on governments and public institutions to place the best interests of children at the centre of migration policies. He said authorities should strengthen legal protections, support family reunification and prevent the trauma caused when children are separated from their parents.

He argued that a major change in the way migration is discussed is urgently needed. Instead of focusing only on controlling and managing migration, he said attention must move toward protecting human rights, welcoming those who arrive and creating genuine opportunities for integration.

At the heart of his message is a simple appeal. The world should not wait for a large number of children to suffer before taking action. Even one displaced child deserves protection, dignity and compassion.

Pope Leo concluded his message by entrusting migrant and refugee children to the care of the Virgin Mary. He recalled that Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus themselves experienced violence and exile when they fled to Egypt because of King Herod.

The Pope prayed that Mary would accompany displaced children on their journeys and help communities become credible signs of the Gospel through compassion, protection and practical solidarity.