Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of June is for those fleeing their homelands.
“Dear brothers and sisters, this month I would like us to pray for people fleeing their own countries,” Pope Francis said in a video released May 28.
“The feeling of uprootedness or not knowing where they belong often accompanies the trauma experienced by people who are forced to flee their homeland because of war or poverty,” he said. “What is more, in some destination countries, migrants are viewed as threats, with fear. Then the specter of walls appears — walls on the earth separating families, and walls in hearts.”
The Holy Father pointed out that “Christians cannot share this vision. Whoever welcomes a migrant welcomes Christ.”
“We must promote a social and political culture that protects the rights and dignity of migrants, a culture that promotes the possibility that they can achieve their full potential and integrates them.”
Pope Francis explained that a migrant “needs to be accompanied, promoted, and integrated.”
He concluded with a prayer: “Let us pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys fraught with danger and violence, may find welcome and new living opportunities.”
Pope Francis’ prayer video is promoted by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which raises awareness of monthly papal prayer intentions.
By Francesca Pollio Fenton
This article was originally published by the Catholic News Agency on June 1, 2024.
