VATICAN - The Pope’s Sunday message : “Everyone needs a safe place in which to live. This is something to which Refugees aspire but in many countries millions are still at collection points or in any case are limited for a long time in the exercise of their rights.”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - A vibrant appeal “not to forget our refugee brothers and sisters!” was launched by Pope John Paul II in his message before the Angelus prayer on Sunday 20 June, World Refugee Day. Recalling that on the previous Friday the Church celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, “the last of the major feast days which after the Easter Season constitute a wonderful summary of the Christian mystery ”, the Pope said: “The mystery of merciful love expressed in the Sacred Heart of Jesus enables us to live better this World Refugee Day which has as its theme: "A place to call home: rebuilding lives in security and dignity". Everyone needs a safe place in which to live. This is something to which Refugees aspire but in many countries millions are still at collection points or in any case are limited for a long time in the exercise of their rights. We must not forget our brothers and sisters who are refugees!”
The Pope then voiced his appreciation and encouragement to those in the Church who work with refugees and at the same time he called for “renewed commitment on the part of the international Community, to remove the causes of this sad phenomenon”. Lastly, before reciting the Angelus, the Pope prayed that the Blessed Virgin Mary would intercede for the whole of humanity that by “accepting Christ’s message of love, it may grow in brotherhood and peace and that the world may become a "common house" for all nations”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 21/6/2004 - Righe 17; Parole 234)