Pope to Scalabrinians: ‘Migrants teach us the virtue of hope’

By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis has once again denounced the widespread “indifference” towards the plight of refugees and migrants in today’s world, “aggravated by the closure of borders”, and the growing hostility against them , reiterating his call for a compassionate response to migration challenges. “Let us not forget that migrants must be welcomed, accompanied, promoted and integrated,” he declared while meeting the Missionaries of Saint Charles Borromeo, commonly called Scalabrinians, on Monday on the occasion of their 16th General Chapter.

The Congregation has chosen the theme of the Jubilee 2025 “Pilgrims of Hope” as the central theme for 2024.

Migration can be a valuable school of faith and humanity

Drawing inspiration from this theme, the Pope reflected on the virtue of hope in relation to three aspects of their ministry: migrants, pastoral care and charity.

He first highlighted how migrants teach the virtue of hope. Migrants leave their homes with the hope of finding a better life, often facing rejection and closed doors, but without giving in to despair. “Their determination, often inspired by their love for the families they left behind, can teach us a lot,” the Pope said.

He therefore encouraged the Scalabrinians, whose founder, Saint John Baptist Scalabrini, wanted them to be “migrants among migrants,” to learn from the migrants they serve, to share their journey and to grow in solidarity.

“In this way, through interaction and dialogue, and welcoming Christ present in them, you will grow in solidarity with one another, putting your trust ‘in God and in God alone,’” he said. -he declared.

Noting that the desire to migrate often reflects a deeper desire for salvation, Pope Francis noted that, despite its challenges, migration can be a “valuable school of faith and humanity.”

Pastoral proximity with migrants

The Pope then stressed the need to offer adequate pastoral care to migrants because, he said, “migration can only be a moment of growth if appropriate support is provided.”

“If migrants want to maintain the strength and resilience necessary to continue their journey – he said – they need someone who heals their wounds and cares for them in their extreme physical, spiritual and psychological vulnerability. »

Hence his call for “effective pastoral interventions that demonstrate closeness on a material, religious and human level, in order to keep their hope alive and help them advance on their personal path towards God, their faithful traveling companion.”

Aging developed societies need migrants

Pope Francis also stressed that many receiving countries, including Italy, need migrants in the face of falling birth rates and an aging population.

Reject exclusivist stereotypes

Finally, Pope Francis called for charity towards migrants who are often forced to leave their homes because of injustices, wars and lack of opportunities in their countries of origin and whose suffering is compounded by the closure of borders.

He once again denounced the widespread indifference to the loss of many lives and the exploitation of migrants as they struggle to survive fleeing hunger and persecution.

Recalling the biblical law of Jubilee on land restoration, he called for this act of justice to be carried out in the current context “through charitable works that affirm the dignity and rights of each individual”.

In this way, he said, “exclusivist stereotypes are rejected and other people, no matter who they are or where they come from, are considered a gift from God, unique, sacred, inviolable, a resource valuable for the benefit of all.

In conclusion, Pope Francis recognized the dynamism of the Scalabrinian charism in the Church and encouraged them to deepen the mission entrusted to them more than a century ago by Saint John the Baptist Scalabrini.