Pope Leo XIV Marks World Refugee Day in Angelus Message
At the conclusion of the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, 21 June, Pope Leo XIV highlighted World Refugee Day, celebrated on June 20, and called for a renewed commitment to the protection of individuals fl…
At the conclusion of the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, 21 June, Pope Leo XIV highlighted World Refugee Day, celebrated on June 20, and called for a renewed commitment to the protection of individuals fleeing persecution, violence, and conflict.
Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the Pope emphasized the ongoing relevance of this international agreement developed in the aftermath of the Second World War to safeguard the rights of refugees and offer them legal protection. He remarked, "I hope that the spirit which inspired the drafting of this important international instrument will continue today to enlighten the consciences of those responsible for nations."
Pope Leo stressed the moral imperative to address human suffering, asserting that "no one can turn away from those seeking protection and safety." He further urged societies to welcome those who have faced persecution, enabling them to live "in peace and dignity" while fostering hope for the future.
In addition to addressing refugee issues, the Pope offered prayers for the victims of a recent road accident in Brazil. He cited the tragedy that occurred in the northeastern State of Ceará, which claimed the lives of seven young men aged between 15 and 22, who were students and alumni of various schools in the city of Juazeiro do Norte. "I assure my prayers for the young people who died a few days ago in a road accident in the State of Ceará," he stated.
Furthermore, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the presence of representatives from the Catholic-Pentecostal International Dialogue, an initiative fostering mutual understanding and Christian fraternity between Catholic and Pentecostal communities for over fifty years. In his remarks, he referred to the principle of lex orandi, lex credendi (“the law of prayer is the law of belief”), highlighting the importance of collaborative reflection on the relationship between prayer and faith in today’s world.
