“Eliminating these causes and thus putting an end to forced migration calls for shared commitment on the part of all, in accordance with the responsibilities of each,” he expressed. “This commitment begins with asking what we can do, but also what we need to stop doing. We need to make every effort to halt the arms race, economic colonialism, the plundering of other people’s resources, and the devastation of our common home.”
In order to make migration a truly free choice, “efforts must be made to ensure to everyone an equal share in the common good, respect for his or her fundamental rights, and access to an integral human development,” the pope emphasized.
He encouraged countries and the international community to work together to ensure that all people “enjoy the right not to be forced to emigrate” and are able to live in peace within one’s own country.
“This right has yet to be codified, but it is one of fundamental importance, and its protection must be seen as a shared responsibility on the part of all states with respect to a common good that transcends national borders,” Pope Francis added.
“Indeed, since the world’s resources are not unlimited, the development of the economically poorer countries depends on the capacity for sharing that we can manage to generate among all countries. Until this right is guaranteed — and here we are speaking of a long process — many people will still have to emigrate in order to seek a better life.”
Pope Francis reminded the faithful to not only see a migrant as a “brother or sister in difficulty but Christ himself, who knocks at our door” and to “show maximum respect for the dignity of each migrant” by building bridges and not walls.