杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� for the 51^st World Day of Peace 鈥� commemorated on January 1^st 鈥� focuses on the plight of more than 250 million migrants, of whom more than 22 million are refugees.

A Spirit of Compassion

鈥淚n a spirit of compassion, let us embrace all those fleeing from war and hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation to leave their homelands,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said.

The Holy Father continued, 鈥淚t is not enough to open our hearts to the suffering of others. Much more remains to be done before our brothers and sisters can once again live peacefully in a safe home.鈥�

The Virtue of Prudence

杏MAP导航 Francis called on government leaders to exercise 鈥渢he virtue of prudence鈥� to find practical means to 鈥渨elcome, promote, protect, integrate and鈥� permit [migrants] to become a part of a new society.鈥�  But he also noted that 鈥渓eaders have a clear responsibility to their own communities, whose legitimate and harmonious development they must ensure.鈥�

In his message, the 杏MAP导航 noted that many people are forced to flee their homes because of war and other conflicts; and he noted that 鈥渢here has been no real breakthrough鈥� in building peace.鈥�

However, he said, many people migrate for other reasons, especially because they 鈥渄esire a better life鈥� for themselves and their families.

An opportunity for peace.

鈥淎ll indicators available to the international community suggest that global migration will continue for the future,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said. 鈥淪ome consider this a threat. For my part, I ask you to view it with confidence as an opportunity to build peace.鈥�