Following the canonization of Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, Pope Francis met with pilgrims from the Scalabrinians in the Paul VI Audience Hall.
The Superior General of the order, Fr. Leonir Chiarello, greeted the Pope and presented him with a book. Pope Francis emphasized that the new saint is a reminder of how to welcome migrants, avoiding exclusion and indifference.
POPE FRANCIS
Even today, migrations constitute a very important challenge. They highlight the urgent need to put fraternity before rejection, solidarity before indifference.
We are called today to live and spread the culture of encounter, an encounter as equals between migrants and the people of the country that welcomes them. This is an enriching experience, as it reveals the beauty of diversity.
The Pope encouraged the Scalabrinians to be creative and to make spaces that foster diversity and social friendship, which can help people be more welcoming to those different from them.
After his message, Pope Francis blessed the pilgrims before greeting bishops, cardinals, and other members of the Scalabrinian family.
At the end of the canonization on October 9, Pope Francis highlighted the breadth of St. Giovanni Scalabrini's work. The Scalabrinians serve migrants in 29 countries, following the goal of their founder—to create a world without borders where no one is a foreigner.
KG
