Pope Francis has urged the International Community to act responsibly on matters of migration.
The Holy Father did so, on the eve of his 82nd birthday, after his Angelus address Sunday, December 16, 2018, in St. Peter’s Square, as he recalled the recently concluded Marrakesh Compact “for safe migration,” which took place in the Moroccan city, Dec. 10-11, 2018.
“The Global Compact for Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration,” the Holy Father recalled, “was approved last week in Marrakesh, Morocco. It is intended as a framework of reference for the International Community.”
The Pontiff underscored how this marks a call to “responsibility,” but also “solidarity” and “compassion.”
“I hope, therefore, that thanks also to this instrument, the International Community will be able to act with responsibility, solidarity and compassion towards those that, for different reasons, have left their country, and I entrust this intention to your prayers,” he said.
On December 10, 2018, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, head of the Vatican’s delegation spoke twice at Marrakesh. There was speculation the Pope would make a visit to the encounter, after having been invited; Francis has, however, accepted the Church and government’s invitation to visit Morocco on March 30-31, 2019.
