October 26, 2011. (Romereports.com) The pope is calling for greater solidarity with refugees and an improvement in the spiritual care of migrants. He talked about this during his message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, presented at the Vatican.

Arch. Antonio Maria Vegliò
President, Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People
“The message talks about the migration of people creating the new phenomenon that in traditionally Christian countries, are now having a growing presence of other religions, as in Europe. And meanwhile non-Christian countries have more and more Christians, as in the Gulf countries.”


Msgr. Gabriele Ferdinando Bentoglio
Under-Secretary, Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People
“In 2006, John Paul II wanted this day to be extended not only toward migration but also toward refugees and to be held on a fixed day throughout the Church, which would be the Sunday after the Baptism of Jesus.”

This year the message serves to prepare the so called 'World Day' that will take place on January 15. The theme is “Migration and the New Evangelization”.

Msgr. Gabriele Ferdinando Bentoglio
Under-Secretary, Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People
“Unlike previous years, this message is closely linked to evangelization, which is an issue that Benedict XVI continues to follow with special attention.”

In the message the pope explains that immigrants and refugees are also a major part of the New Evangelization in their host countries. It calls on nations to open their borders to people who risk their lives in fleeing their countries for political reasons.

The document also addresses the almost three million people who are studying abroad. So from November 30 to December 3, 2011 a world congress will be held in the Vatican to explore different options in aid. It's being called “International Students and meeting of cultures”. The goal is that it can serve as a tool to spread this message.


BR/AE
FF
JM
PR