Pope Francis: refugees have ‘the face of God’

April 19, 2016

Pope Francis has sent a video-message to the Jesuit Refugee Service’s Centro Astalli in Rome on the occasion of its 35th anniversary.

Describing the center as a concrete response to Christ’s words (“I was a stranger, and you welcomed me”), the Pope said that the center was “born of the prophetic vision of Father Pedro Arrupe,” who served as the Jesuits’ superior general from 1965 to 1983.

“Every one of you refugees who knock on our doors has the face of God, is the flesh of Christ,” he added.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Videomessaggio del Santo Padre per il 35° anniversario della fondazione del Centro Astalli per i rifugiati, 19.04.2016 (Holy See Press Office)
• Centro Astalli