We must not fail to respond to migrants, pope says

The theme for this 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees: 'It is not Just about Migrants'

Pope Francis at the unveiling of a the sculpture called 'Angels Unaware' by Canadian sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz, depicting a group of 140 migrants of various cultures and from different historic times, following a Mass for World Day of Migrants and Refugees at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sept. 29. (Photo by EPA-EFE/VATICAN MEDIA/MaxPPP)

Christians have a moral obligation to show God's care for migrants and refugees because "they are without rights, excluded and marginalized" Pope Francis said this past Sunday.

"This loving care for the less privileged is presented as a characteristic trait of the God of Israel and is likewise required, as a moral duty, of all those who would belong to his people," the pope said in his homily Sept. 29 during an outdoor Mass for the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

The theme for this day is "It is not Just about Migrants." It is about "all those in existential peripheries who, together with migrants and refugees, are victims of the throwaway culture", said the pope. "The Lord calls us to restore their humanity, as well as our own, and to leave no one behind."

After the Mass, Pope Francis unveiled a large bronze statue, "Angels Unawares," in St. Peter's Square.

Designed and sculpted by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz, the sculpture depicts a group of migrants and refugees on a boat. Within the group, a pair of angel wings can be seen, which suggests "that within the migrant and refugee is the sacred," the artist's website said.

Before praying the Angelus prayer at the end of Mass, the pope said he wanted the statue in St. Peter's Square "to remind everyone of the evangelical challenge to welcome."

The 20-foot tall sculpture is inspired by Hebrews 13:2, which in the King James translation says, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

The sculpture will be displayed in St. Peter's Square for an undetermined time while a smaller replica will be permanently displayed in the Rome Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

In his homily, the pope "emphasized that God calls on Christians to care for all "victims of the throwaway culture."

"The Lord calls us to practice charity toward them. He calls us to restore their humanity, as well as our own, and to leave no one behind," he said.

Caring for migrants and refugees is also an invitation to reflect on the injustices that occur in the world where those "who pay the price are always the little ones, the poor, the most vulnerable."

"Wars only affect some regions of the world, yet weapons of war are produced and sold in other regions which are then unwilling to take in the refugees generated by these conflicts," he said.

As Christians, he said, "we cannot be indifferent to the tragedy of old and new forms of poverty, to the bleak isolation, contempt and discrimination experienced by those who do not belong to 'our' group."

Pope Francis said the commandment to love God and neighbor is part of "building a more just world" where all people have access to the "goods of the earth" and where "fundamental rights and dignity are guaranteed to all."

"Loving our neighbor means feeling compassion for the sufferings of our brothers and sisters, drawing close to them, touching their sores and sharing their stories, and thus manifesting concretely God's tender love for them," the pope said.