ROME — Modern-day migration bears many similarities to the time when the Israelites migrated from Egypt to the Promised Land, Pope Francis argued in his message for the 2024 World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
The biblical story of the Exodus, which describes the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land, “naturally comes to mind” when thinking about migration today, the pope said. messageThe announcement was made by the Vatican on Monday.
“The biblical imagery of the Exodus and migration share several parallels,” the Pope continues. “Like the Israelites in the time of Moses, migrants are often fleeing oppression, abuse, insecurity, discrimination and a lack of opportunities for development.”
“Like the Jews in the desert, the migrants encounter many obstacles on their way. They suffer from thirst and hunger, are exhausted by work and disease, and fall into despair,” he added.
Pope Francis reiterated his call for a more welcoming attitude towards migrants, insisting that everyone has the right to “dream of a better future.” https://t.co/tdUk6Oeeju
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In this way, he writes, we can see in modern-day immigrants “a living image of God’s people on their way to their eternal homeland.”
The Pope said God himself “identifies with all those on the journey of history, especially the weakest, the poor and the marginalized,” but at the same time he warned nations and individuals not to become too attached to their lands and possessions.
In his final prayer, Pope Francis asked God not to “possess the part of the world He has given us as a temporary home.”
Rather, Christians are reminded that “the encounter with the migrant, like the encounter with all our brothers and sisters in need, is also an encounter with Christ”.
“Help us to continue walking together with our migrant brothers and sisters toward the eternal home that you have prepared for us,” he asks.
