Pope, Vatican officials urge Catholics to welcome migrants, newcomers

Published: 2003-11-24

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II, Vatican officials and those who assist migrants and refugees urged all Catholics to overcome fear and selfishness and to see that in welcoming newcomers they put their faith into action. About 300 people from 99 countries participated in the Nov. 17-22 World Congress for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees in Rome. In their final statement, the delegates urged governments to do more to protect the human rights of migrants and refugees and expressed hope that international efforts to stop terrorism would not be "used as a pretext" to curtail individual freedoms and rights, including the rights of those seeking to migrate. Pope John Paul welcomed the group to the Vatican Nov. 20 and encouraged the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, which is preparing a document on assisting migrants and refugees, to present migration as "as a way of fostering dialogue, peace and the proclamation of the Gospel."

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