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Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees message

4:03 PM ETConfirmed

Faith Desk

In Short: In his message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the vulnerability of children and teenagers who are often subjected to violence and exploitation during migration.

Pope Leo XIV, during his visit to France, emphasized the need to protect migrant and refugee minors, urging everyone to take responsibility for their welfare.

The pope's appeal comes amid a backdrop of global migration challenges, with UNICEF figures showing that more than 35,300 minors were among the over 155,000 migrants who reached Europe in 2025.

During his visit to an integration center in Paris, Pope Leo XIV listened to the stories of two migrants, including a 31-year-old Nigerian woman named Blessing, who described the positive impact of receiving help from a Catholic charitable organization.

Pope Leo XIV also addressed broader issues during his visit, calling for a ban on nuclear weapons and lamenting the use of science and technology for profit rather than ethical progress.

The pope's message echoed his previous statements, emphasizing the importance of dialogue between state and religious institutions to serve the common good.

Pope Leo XIV's visit to France included stops at UNESCO headquarters, Notre-Dame, and a prayer vigil with 80,000 young people at the French national stadium.

The pope's theme for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, 'Even just one of these children,' underscores the need to care for minors involved in migration and flight.

Pope Leo XIV's visit to France also touched on end-of-life questions, a sensitive issue expected to be addressed during his stay.

Pope Leo XIV's messages of unity and peace amid global polarization and conflict resonate with his previous calls for international solidarity and commitment to peace.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• The following is the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees celebrated by the Church on Sept.
• Matthew 18:10) Each year the World Day of Migrants and Refugees invites us to turn our attention to different aspects of the complex phenomenon of migration.

What's still developing

• See: Message of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees) I had thought that I may not be writing a column this week, because I was blessed to travel this past weekend on a brief, four-day pilgrimage to Mexico — you can see pictures, reflections, and more information here.
• “An authentic secularity, then, consists not in excluding religion from the public sphere or from education, but in striving to ensure that the State and religious institutions maintain dialogue and join forces in the service of the common good, that the world may have life,” the pope said.
• The pope, who earlier in the day told reporters accompanying him on the flight from Rome that he was traveling to France “as a follower of Jesus Christ who wants to bring peace of Christ throughout the world,” called in his speech for a ban on nuclear weapons and lamented war in the Middle East.
• “The name of your center … which refers to St. Bakhita, inspires us to recognize the fundamental role of women in building a civilization of love, which is an alternative to a culture that tears communities apart and leaves cities sick with loneliness,” the pope said Sept. 26.
• “Continue to bear witness to that care for one another which, through fraternal welcome, programs of formation, and dialogue with the city, elevates the spirit and makes the world more humane,” he said.
• The pope’s visit falls on the fifth anniversary of the center, which offers educational workshops in sewing, cooking, visual arts, and computer skills.
• The figure included 41.6 million refugees, nine million asylum-seekers and 68.7 million people displaced within their own countries by conflict or violence.
• Naming new challenges to the Gospel priorities of hospitality and justice, the pope has chosen to focus specifically on threats to the dignity and rights of our youngest sisters and brothers.
• Pope Leo XIV yesterday appealed to “everyone’s sense of responsibility” to protect migrant and refugee minors, stressing that children and teenagers are the most vulnerable and often endure “unspeakable suffering”.
• “Children and teenagers are the most vulnerable,” he said at the end of his weekly general audience, recalling that the World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be celebrated on Sunday.
• In light of this reality, he called for ensuring the protection and support of young migrants.
• “I appeal to everyone’s sense of responsibility: Let us all feel a sense of involvement in the lives of these young people, who must always be protected and supported,” Pope Leo urged.

Sources

• Americamagazinelink
• BeaconNJ.orglink
• Catholic Standardlink
• EWTN Vaticanlink
• Ewtnnewslink
• Latintimeslink
• OSV Newslink
• Indcatholicnewslink
• AP Newslink
• Cathnewslink
• Heraldmalaysialink
• Angelusnewslink
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV's Visit Spurs Full Covering of Rupnik Mosaics link
• WarpBeat — background on Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s Angelus address given Sept. 20, 2026 link
• NBC News — video link