On June 20, the UN will celebrate World Refugee Day. According to its latest report, 79.5 million people worldwide have been forced to flee from their homes. It's an unprecedented number.
For the occasion, the Vatican has released a video message from the pope. In it, he explains the theme of World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which the Church will celebrate on Sept. 27.
Pope Francis recommends reflecting on Jesus' life, whose family also tasted the bitterness of forced exile.
I have chosen as the title of my message: 'Forced like Jesus Christ to flee.' This places the experience of Jesus as a child, displaced and a refugee, together with his parents, at the center of my reflection.
The Church first designated a day dedicated to refugees and migrants in 1914. It is celebrated on the last Sunday in September. That day, Catholics are invited to consider the situation of those affected and to look for solutions.
Javier Romero
Translation: Claudia Torres
