In annual message, pope says migration can contribute to peace

Published: 2003-12-23

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although often a cause of fear and tension, the phenomenon of migration can contribute to building peace if newcomers are welcomed as brothers and sisters, Pope John Paul II said. "If the dream of a peaceful world is shared by many and if the contribution of migrants and refugees is valued, humanity can become increasingly the family of all and our Earth (can become) a real common home," the pope said. Pope John Paul focused on the connection between migration and peace in his message for the 2004 celebrations of the World Day for Migrants and Refugees, marked by Catholics on different days in different countries. In the United States, National Migration Week is Jan. 4-10, 2004. The papal message was released Dec. 23 at the Vatican only in Italian.

Copyright (c) 2003 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .