Safe immigration and the right not to leave your country

Antonella Palermo – Vatican City

Pope Francis sent a message to participants in the Eighth Migration Festival, which begins on October 25 in Modena and other Emilian cities, and which is co-organized by the Migrants Foundation of the Italian Episcopal Conference. The title: “Free to Leave, Free to Stay” echoes the message of this year’s World Migrants and Refugees Day.

The Pope’s words come in the context of the festival’s presentation, in which it is emphasized that glorifying the emergency nature of the migration phenomenon leads to forgetting that it is rather a structural phenomenon that cannot be extinguished, and must be accompanied by an honest narrative.

The motto of Christians is “last first.”

Citing the message of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees for 2018 and 2019, His Holiness the Pope highlights and encourages the approach in which the promoters of the Emilian Days intend to explore different aspects related to migration by saying:

Indeed, the principle of the primacy of the human person and his inviolable dignity “obliges us always to put personal security before national security.”

He adds: “Jesus Christ asks us not to surrender to the logic of the world that justifies preying on others for the sake of my own interest or the interest of my group: me first, then others! Instead, the true motto of a Christian is: first and last!”

Proposals to promote regular and safe migration

Combating crime that exploits the vulnerability of people fleeing, and ensuring their right to live in their countries without being forced to abandon them. The Pope’s thought falls along these two lines, and is inspired by his discourses on the subject, such as his own Reflections on a moment of prayer for immigrantsfrom November 19, 2023.

Along these lines, “It is necessary to redouble efforts to combat the criminal networks that tamper with the dreams of migrants. But it is also necessary to point to safer routes. To do this, efforts must be made to expand regular migration channels.”

Ensuring everyone’s right not to be forced to migrate

Pope Francis stressed the need for joint commitment, on the part of each person in accordance with his responsibilities, in order to create favorable conditions that stop forced migration due to fear, despair and poverty.

In blessing the work of the festival that opens today, the Pontiff wishes to constantly maintain “the commitment to receive, protect, promote and integrate all migrants and refugees who knock on our doors.” Finally, it returns to a series of key questions:

“We must strive to stop the arms race, economic colonialism, the plundering of others’ resources and the destruction of our common home” (Message on World Migrants and Refugees Day 2018).