In his message for the 51st World Day of Peace: “Migrants and refugees: men and women in search of peace”, celebrated on 1st January, Pope Francis reminds us that there are over 250 million migrants worldwide, of whom 22.5 million are refugees, searching for “somewhere to live in peace” as a consequence of “war and hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation to leave their homelands”.
He urges us all – governments and citizens alike- to turn a “contemplative gaze” toward our migrant and refugee sisters and brothers and to respond to their plight with four mileposts for action – to welcome, promote, protect, and integrate migrants and refugees into society, into our neighbourhoods.
Another Silent Night: “Silently Praying for Peace”
32 girls from 17 countries came to New York City to share their stories of loss, struggle, and most importantly, survival to remind us all that immediate humanitarian aid can be the miracle that millions around the world need.(03:45)
How will we each respond?
