WelCom February/March 2025
Pope Francis addresses a letter to the bishops of the United States, expressing his support for their efforts to protect the rights and dignity of migrants.
In a letter dated 10 February 2025, and addressed to his brothers in the episcopate, Pope Francis acknowledges the work of US bishops in standing alongside migrants and refugees, he expresses support for efforts to uphold the fundamental dignity of every human person and he highlights the importance of pastoral accompaniment for those facing displacement.
In his letter, the Pope recalls the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt and draws a parallel between their experience and that of many migrants today. Their journey, he notes, shines the light on ‘the phenomenon of migration as a decisive moment in history’ and reaffirms ‘not only our faith in God but also the infinite and transcendent dignity of every human person’.
Highlighting Pope Pius XII’s apostolic constitution on the Care of Migrants, which describes the Holy Family as a model for all who must leave their homeland in search of safety and stability, he writes ‘Your work in defending migrants is deeply rooted in the mission of Christ and the history of the Church.’
In his 10-point letter, the Holy Father says he has ‘followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a programme of mass deportations’ and commends the bishops’ efforts stressing that Christian love demands recognition of the dignity of all people, regardless of legal status.
The Pope acknowledges the complex realities surrounding US migration policies but reminds the bishops that the measure of a just society is how it treats its most vulnerable members.
‘The legitimate regulation of migration must never undermine the essential dignity of the person,’ he writes.
The Pope also expresses appreciation for the bishops’ advocacy against narratives that criminalise migrants and emphasises their role in ensuring that policies respect human rights.
Go to tinyurl.com/Pope-Letter-US-Bishops to read the Pope’s letter.
Source: Vatican News