The Migrants & Refugees Section is a small action-oriented Vatican office personally directed by Pope Francis. He is convinced that special attention and efforts are needed to ensure that those forced to flee are not shut out or left behind.
The M&R Section helps the Church worldwide to support those who are forcibly displaced by conflict, natural disaster, persecution or extreme poverty; those who are making their difficult way to safety or are stuck; and those who fall victim to human trafficking.
At Lampedusa and Lesbos, major transit points in Italy and Greece, Pope Francis wept with the migrants and refugees huddled there. On the plane back from Lesbos, he brought some Syrian refugee families to live in the Vatican.
“When we heal the wounds of refugees, displaced persons, and victims of trafficking,” he said, “we are practising the commandment of love that Jesus has left us … Their flesh is that of Christ” (24 May, 2013). What the Pope teaches and does himself, he wants the M&R Section to help others say and do throughout the world.
The M&R Section’s mission is to assist the Church
– the Bishops, the faithful, the clergy, Church organizations, and everyone else, too –
to accompany those who are departing and fleeing, those in transit or waiting, those who are arriving and seek to integrate, and those who return. What does to accompany mean?
To see, to listen, to welcome
To protect
To assist and integrate
To pursue long-term solutions
In Jesus’ own words, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).
Despite the enormous challenges, progress is being made to make for a more welcoming world. Fr. Fabio Baggio C.S. and Fr. Michael Czerny S.J. manage the M&R Section on behalf of Pope Francis.
We see many opportunities for substantive change. We encourage everyone to join the Pope in solidarity, in building compassionate and welcoming communities around the world. This website is full of resources, and a good first step is getting the latest Migrants and Refugees Update straight into your inbox. Please sign-up and join the M&R mailing-list, below.
