Edward Marchesi On Sunday, September 27 , the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees took place . During the general audience, Pope Francis paid special attention to children forced to leave their homes, recalling that minors are the most vulnerable in migration . The Pontiff concluded with a call for collective responsibility, stating: "My thoughts go to migrants, refugees, especially minors forced to abandon their homeland."
The papal appeal in the audience of September 27
During his brief address, the Pope emphasized the unspeakable suffering children face: violence, torture, exploitation, and, in many cases, loss of life along the routes. He urged everyone to feel an integral part of these young people's lives, insisting that their protection must become an absolute priority.
The speech continued with a Gospel quote: “ Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me ” (Mk 9:37), emphasizing the spiritual value of every gesture of welcome.
The message for migrant minors
The Pontiff recalled that children and adolescents are subject to traumatic conditions and often suffer death along migration routes.
He launched an urgent appeal: "Everyone should feel involved in the lives of these children, who must always be protected and supported." The emphasis was on going beyond mere assistance, calling for ensuring dignity, education, and safety, essential elements for their growth.
The theme "Even just one of these children" and the words of Cardinal Baldo Reina
The day was marked by the theme " Even Just One of These Children ," chosen to highlight the human dimension behind the statistics. In a letter prepared for the occasion, Cardinal Vicar Baldo Reina wrote: "At a time when we are often accustomed to discussing migration through numbers, statistics, emergencies, and 'flows,' the Pope invites us to change our perspective: behind every number there is a face, a story, a wound."
The call to collective responsibility
The cardinal reiterated that welcoming cannot be limited to an act of charity, but must become a concrete response: protecting a minor means guaranteeing them belonging, healthy relationships, and future prospects . He also invited the Church, institutions, and individual citizens to support the initiatives of the Italian Episcopal Conference, noting that collections on Sunday, September 27, will be used to support assistance for migrants and refugees. The message is clear: even a single child matters, and the way society welcomes the most vulnerable is a measure of its human authenticity.