At 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, the pope will celebrate Mass for the more than 70 million migrants and refugees in the world.
Since 1914, the Catholic Church has dedicated this World Day to them every year.
In addition to the Mass, the pope is preparing an important symbolic gesture, so the spirit of this Day will be remembered for years to come.
In preparation for this day, the pope wrote a message stressing the theme for the day: 'It is not just about migrants. It's also about our fears.' He explained that it is 'legitimate' to feel 'fear' in the face of the unknown but that 'the problem is when these fears condition our way of thinking and acting to the point of becoming intolerant, closed, and perhaps, without even noticing, in racist.'
In July, the pope celebrated a Mass for migrants who have died trying to escape from violence, hunger and misery.
It marked the sixth anniversary of his first trip as pope, when he visited the island of Lampedusa. This is one of the main destination ports for thousands of refugees who try desperately to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe every year.
Pope to announce symbolic gesture during World Day for Migrants and Refugees
At 10:30 a.m., he will celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Square in their honor.
Javier Romero Bedate
Melissa Butz
