Pope Leo XIV has called on world leaders to give those who have fled their native lands a humane and dignified welcome. Source: Crux.
The Pope made his appeal in remarks following the Angelus prayer, one day after the annual United Nations’ World Refugee Day which this year marked the 75th anniversary of the UN Convention relating to the status of refugees.
The convention was adopted to protect those who are persecuted and forced to leave their homeland, homes and families.
“I hope that the spirit that inspired the drafting of this important international instrument may also continue to enlighten the consciences of national leaders today,” the pontiff said.
“No one can turn a blind eye to those who are seeking protection and safety,” Pope Leo also said, urging that people everywhere “welcome those who are victims of persecution so that they may live in peace, with dignity, and look to the future with hope.”
The core principle of the 1951 convention establishes that refugees ought not be returned to a place where they face serious threats to life or liberty.
It establishes baseline protections for refugees in view of their dignity and so they may lead independent lives.
Those protections include recognition of the right to housing, work, and education, and are legally binding on countries that are party to the instrument and its 1967 protocol.
The document also defines refugees’ obligations to host countries and excludes certain categories of people – such as war criminals – from qualification for refugee status.
In his remarks following the traditional noonday prayer of Marian devotion yesterday, Leo also greeted – in English – participants in the Catholic–Pentecostal International Dialogue, which for more than 50 years has sought to foster fraternity and mutual understanding.
The partners in the dialogue are concluding a seven–year reflection on the ancient Christian principle: Lex orandi, lex credendi – “The law of prayer is the law of belief” – and preparing a report on their efforts.
“The Church believes as she prays and reflecting together on the principle – lex orandi, lex credendi – is particularly relevant nowadays,” Pope Leo said.
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Pope appeals for refugees, praises ecumenical initiative (Crux)
