
The Vatican is Asking Catholics to Share Their Experiences Helping Migrants and Refugees
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees was established by Pope Pius X in 1914.
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees was established by Pope Pius X in 1914.
The June 27 incident is thought to be the largest en masse death of migrants from the southern border in modern history.
The memorial Mass for the migrants will be celebrated June 30 at the Cathedral of San Fernando.
“‘When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders become irrelevant,’” the Pope said, quoting Wiesel’s 1986 Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech.
Since crossing over the wall last May, Grace and Daniel have been stuck in the buffer zone that divides Cyprus, which is also called “no man’s land,” living in a tent for more than six months.
Four migrants, from Iraq, Cameroon, Sri Lanka, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, shared their testimonies with the Pope.
In his appeal, the Pope called in particular for “safe and reliable rescue and disembarkation equipment,” and alternatives to detention with decent living conditions.
In July more than 212,000 migrants were detained at the US-Mexico border, the highest monthly figure since April 2000.
The pope gave his Regina Coeli address at a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, where pilgrims stood spaced apart to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Pope Francis visited the Mediterranean island on July 8, 2013, shortly after his election.
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