Pope urges stepped-up efforts to tackle causes of refugee problem

Published: 2004-06-21

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II called on the international community to step up its efforts in tackling the root causes of the world's refugee problem. "Every person needs a safe place to live," the pope said June 20 before praying the Angelus. Safety is what refugees are seeking when they flee their homeland, but "millions are unfortunately left in refugee camps or else left with limited freedom to exercise their rights," he said. The pope praised and encouraged the work of the church in helping the world's refugees. He urged the international community to "renew its commitment to the eradication of the causes of this painful phenomenon." The pope's appeal came on World Refugee Day -- an annual event sponsored by the United Nations to draw attention to the needs of the world's externally displaced people and asylum seekers. Though last year the number of refugees decreased, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees still attended to the needs of more than 17 million people who crossed national borders to escape persecution and armed conflict.

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