Pope Francis says that an encounter
with a migrant is also an encounter with Christ in his message
for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which takes place on
September 24.
"The images of the biblical exodus and of migrants share several
similarities," reads the message, which the Vatican released on
Monday.
"Like the people of Israel in the time of Moses, migrants often
flee from oppression, abuse, insecurity, discrimination, and
lack of opportunities for development.
"Similar to the Jews in the desert, migrants encounter many
obstacles in their path: they are tried by thirst and hunger;
they are exhausted by toil and disease; they are tempted by
despair. In this we see an extension of the mystery of the
Incarnation.
"For this reason, the encounter with the migrant, as with every
brother and sister in need, is also an encounter with Christ.
"He himself said so. It is he who knocks on our door, hungry,
thirsty, an outsider, naked, sick and imprisoned, asking to be
met and assisted.
"God not only walks with his people, but also within them, in
the sense that he identifies himself with men and women on their
journey through history, particularly with the least, the poor
and the marginalized".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
