Pope: Today's migration crisis is the greatest tragedy since WW2

Source: VIS/Vatican Radio

Pope Francis has called for an ongoing commitment to welcome and integrate migrants and refugees and described the current migration crisis as the world's greatest tragedy after the Second World War.

Speaking during Wednesday's General Audience in St Peter's Square, which was attended by members of the Migrantes Foundation, an arm of the Italian Bishops' Conference which promotes the pastoral care of migrants and refugees, the Pope said: "I encourage you to continue your efforts of welcoming and hosting migrants and refugees, favouring their integration and taking into account the rights and mutual obligations of those who welcome them and those who are welcomed... Let us not forget that today's problem of refugees and migrants is the greatest tragedy after that of the Second World War."

During his catechesis, Pope Francis reflected on a reading from Saint Paul which focusses on the attitudes of steadfastness and encouragement. They are intimately connected to the reality of Christian hope because ours, he said, is a God of steadfastness as he loves us perseveringly and never tires of consoling us.

He is also a God of encouragement, who calls us to be close to the weak and the needy with whom he asks us to be strong and to be sowers of hope.

What's more, the Pope continued, Christians are called to spread hope by supporting and encouraging one another, especially those in danger of faltering. But we do so, he concluded, with the strength provided by the Lord, who is our unfailing source of hope.

The Holy Father appealed to the faithful to 're-discover' the Sacrament of Reconciliation, reminding all Catholic communities to participate in the upcoming '24 hours for the Lord' initiative on 23rd and 24th of March with Churches around the globe offering the Sacrament of Confession as a "privileged moment of grace" during our Lenten journey.

See: www.novaevangelizatio.va/content/nvev/en.html