‘So many children are refugees, we are embarrassed in front of God’

DURING HIS visit to Bethlehem and Jordan last weekend, Pope Francis expressed solidarity with Palestinian and Arab refugees, meeting with families who were dispossessed following the establishment of Israel in 1948, writes James Macintyre.

In a homily during Mass at the International Stadium in Amman in front of 50,000 people, Pope Francis thanked Jordan for housing refugees, including many Palestinian Christians, and many from Syria. In a symbolic move welcomed by the Palestinians, Francis became the first Pope to fly directly into Bethlehem without travelling through Israel.

After talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Francis rode in the Popemobile to Manger Square amid jubilant scenes and shouts of “Viva Papa” from around 10,000 Palestinian Christians and pilgrims.

Francis devoted his homily in the birthplace of Jesus to the theme of children, especially those living in poverty and the victims of human trafficking. “Too many children today are refugees,” he said. “With all of this we are embarrassed in front of God, the God who made himself a child.”