The “Angels Unawares” sculpture was unveiled by Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square on 29 September 2019, the 105th World Day of Migrants & Refugees Section (WDMR). Pope Francis celebrated a special Mass in St Peter’s Square for the occasion.
The Church has celebrated WDMR every year since 1914. It is always an occasion to express concern for many different vulnerable people on the move, to pray for them and the challenges they face, and to increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers. For 2019, Pope Francis chose the theme “It is not just about migrants” to make sure that no one remains excluded from society, whether a long-time resident or someone newly-arrived.
Message of His Holiness
Pope Francis for the
105th World Day of Migrants
and Refugees
“Dear brothers and sisters, our response to the challenges posed by contemporary migration can be summed up in four verbs: welcome, protect, promote and integrate. […] If we put those four verbs into practice, we will help build the city of God and man. We will promote the integral human development of all people.”
POPE FRANCIS. Message for the WDMR – 2019
Welcoming
Increasing Safe and Legal Routes for Migrants and Refugees
Protecting:
Defending the Rights and Dignity of Migrants and Refugees
Promoting:
Fostering the Integral Human Development of Migrants and Refugees
Integrating:
Greater Participation of Migrants and Refugees to Enrich Local Communities
