Pope urges recognizing 'light of hope' in eyes of refugees
May 24, 2013
Human trafficking is “an ignoble activity, a disgrace to our society that calls itself civilized,” Pope Francis said in a May 24 address to the Pontifical Council of Migrants, which is holding its plenary meeting in Rome.
The Pope demanded that world leaders recognize and protect the natural rights of all people. He remarked: “In a world where there is so much talk of rights it seems that the only one to have rights is money.” The Church, however, pays special care to those who are in need, especially including those who are “forced to flee their country and live in-between rootlessness and integration.” He encouraged Church officials as well as political leaders to recognize the “dehumanizing” tensions created by these factors.
At the same time, those who work with refugees should recognize “the light of hope” in their eyes, the Pope continued. “It is a hope that is expressed in expectation for the future.” Christians should nurture that hope, he said.
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