Pope Francis: 'I too am a child of migrants'

Pope with young migrant. Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican News

In a letter sent yesterday to migrants gathered in Lajas Blancas, Panama, Pope Francis spoke about his own family, who emigrated from Italy to Argentina in the 1920s.

Migrants are "the face of Christ", whom the Church lovingly offers "relief and hope," the Pope wrote. He spoke of wanting to accompany them personally, and expressed his understanding for their situation.

"I too am a child of migrants," he said, "who set out in search of a better future."

Pope Francis thanked the bishops and pastoral workers who take his place in serving them. He said they represent "the face of a mother Church who walks with her sons and daughters, in whom she discovers the face of Christ and, like Veronica, lovingly offers relief and hope on the Way of the Cross of migration."

The Holy Father added that migrants "represent the suffering body of Christ when they are forced to leave their country, to face the risks and tribulations of a difficult journey, when they find no other way out."

He appealed to the migrants to never forget their human dignity, and not to "be afraid to look others in the eye," as they are "not disposable."

He reassured them that they "are also part of the human family and the family of God's children."

The Pope thanked the migrants for their presence and asked them to pray for him.