Pope: May we welcome, accompany, support and integrate migrants

By Thaddeus Jones

Pope Francis encouraged everyone to contribute to “Building the future with migrants and refugees,” recalling the theme of today's World Day of Migrants and Refugees celebrated in the Church the last Sunday of September each year. He was speaking at the conclusion of the Mass in Matera celebrated at the city's XXI Settembre Municipal Stadium.

May the Kingdom of God be realized with them, "without exclusion," said the Pope. And we can thank these "brothers and sisters" as they can help our communities grow and flourish economically, culturally and spiritually. 

The Pope added that by sharing and learning about each other's diverse traditions, this "enriches the People of God."

He  concluded with an appeal that we welcome, accompany, support and integrate migrants into our communities.

The World Day of Migrants and Refugees is promoted around the world by the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.