Pope Francis has likened those experiencing abandonment and rejection due to the Covid-19 pandemic to the plight of those forced to flee their homes due to disaster.
In a message to mark the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, to be celebrated on 27 September 2020, the Pope focussed on the plight of the internally displaced, a topic which the Vatican recently issued a series of pastoral guidelines on.
But, Francis explained, “in the light of the tragic events that have marked 2020” his message sought to “embrace all those who are experiencing situations of precariousness, abandonment, marginalisation and rejection as a result of Covid-19.”
Calling for “international cooperation, global solidarity and local commitment,” the Pope said the coronavirus should mean a more equitable sharing of the world’s resources, overcoming prejudices and becoming more attentive to the vulnerable.
“God did not want the resources of our planet to benefit only a few. This was not the Lord’s will!” Francis writes. “We have to learn to share in order to grow together, leaving no one behind. The pandemic has reminded us how we are all in the same boat.”
He stressed that “fears and prejudices – all too many prejudices” hinders community building, and prevent us from “becoming neighbours” to those in need. The medical profession, Francis argued, shows how to serve.
“Drawing close to others often means being willing to take risks, as so many doctors and nurses have taught us in recent months,” the Pope says. “This readiness to draw near and serve goes beyond a mere sense of duty. Jesus gave us the greatest example of this when he washed the feet of his disciples: he took off his cloak, knelt down and dirtied his hands.”
And he pointed to the importance of listening.
“In 2020, silence has reigned for weeks in our streets,” the Pope explained. “A dramatic and troubling silence, but one that has given us the opportunity to listen to the plea of the vulnerable, the displaced and our seriously ill planet. Listening gives us an opportunity to be reconciled with our neighbour, with all those who have been ‘discarded’, with ourselves and with God, who never tires of offering us his mercy.”
Francis has made protection of migrants and refugees one of the top priorities of his pontificate, calling for them to be welcomed, protected, promoted and integrated.
He says that internally displaced people - those forced to leave their homes due to war, poverty or climate change yet have remained within a country - is one of the challenges of the contemporary world but the displaced are so often invisible. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council’s Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre found 50.8 million people were internally displaced in 2019. But Francis writes that Covid-19 has only made them less visible, while statistics alone do not tell the full story.
“When we talk about migrants and displaced persons, all too often we stop at statistics. But it is not about statistics, it is about real people!” the Pope writes.
“In the faces of the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, strangers and prisoners, we are called to see the face of Christ who pleads with us to help. Displaced people offer us this opportunity to meet the Lord.”
He finished his message with a prayer based on the story of Saint Joseph who was forced to flee to Egypt to save the child Jesus.
Father, you entrusted to Saint Joseph what you held most precious: the child Jesus and his Mother, in order to protect them from the dangers and threats of the wicked.
Grant that we may experience his protection and help. May he, who shared in the sufferings of those who flee from the hatred of the powerful, console and protect all our brothers and sisters driven by war, poverty and necessity to leave their homes and their lands to set out as refugees for safer places.
Help them, through the intercession of Saint Joseph, to find the strength to persevere, give them comfort in sorrows and courage amid their trials.
Grant to those who welcome them some of the tender love of this just and wise father, who loved Jesus as a true son and sustained Mary at every step of the way.
May he, who earned his bread by the work of his hands, watch over those who have seen everything in life taken away and obtain for them the dignity of a job and the serenity of a home.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, whom Saint Joseph saved by fleeing to Egypt, and trusting in the intercession of the Virgin Mary, whom he loved as a faithful husband in accordance with your will. Amen.
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