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Magazine, The Immigrant Experience
As the world reflects on the passing of Pope Francis, and Catholics around the globe mourn the loss of their leader, the impact of his legacy becomes more evident. In a world increasingly divided by borders and barriers, Pope Francis stood as a steadfast advocate for the dignity of immigrants, refugees, and displaced people. For many, his role as the first pope of Latin American origin and the first Jesuit pope in history marked a revolutionary shift in the Church, but for others, his death represents the loss of the most prominent global advocate for migrant rights and a voice that consistently championed those often overlooked.
In the face of growing challenges such as mass deportations and the marginalization of immigrant communities, Pope Francis’ absence underscores the urgency of continuing his work. A son of Italian immigrants in Argentina, Pope Francis understood migration as more than just a political issue—it was a human issue. His own family’s experience shaped the compassion he carried for those in search of a better life. As we move forward, his legacy serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to protect and uphold the dignity of migrants everywhere.
The Globalization of Indifference: A Defining Call
Pope Francis’ first trip outside Rome after his election took him to Lampedusa, the Italian island where countless migrants have tragically lost their lives trying to reach Europe. In 2013, his visit was not merely ceremonial—it was a poignant reminder to the world of the “globalization of indifference.” A phrase that would echo throughout his papacy, urging the world to stop ignoring the suffering of those on the move and to view them not as a threat, but as neighbors deserving of compassion and dignity.
During that visit, Pope Francis condemned the indifference of societies that had grown callous to the suffering of refugees, calling it a “grave sin.” This was the beginning of his mission to place migration at the center of his papacy. And it was a mission he would continue with unwavering conviction, even as global circumstances and political landscapes shifted.
An Advocate of Humane Migration Policies
Over the course of his 12-year pontificate, Pope Francis didn’t just speak out for migrants; he acted. His advocacy was tireless, and his actions were powerful. In 2016, he traveled to Lesbos, Greece, to meet with refugees fleeing the horrors of war and persecution. While there, he brought 12 Syrian refugees, including three families and six children, back to Italy with him aboard the papal plane, offering a symbolic yet profound gesture of mercy.
His influence wasn’t confined to his travels, either. Pope Francis made migration a central theme in nearly every aspect of his papacy. He used his platform to call on world leaders, particularly in the U.S., to embrace migrants rather than fear them. In his historic 2015 address to the U.S. Congress, the first by any pope, he urged lawmakers to act with empathy, recognizing that they, like so many others, were descendants of immigrants.
“I say this to you as the son of immigrants,” Pope Francis said, calling on Congress to remember their own histories and ensure that the United States would remain a place of welcome, not exclusion. “Knowing that so many of you are also descended from immigrants,” he continued, calling for a response to migration that “is always humane, just and fraternal.”
His words were not merely rhetoric. They were a moral imperative, a challenge to all leaders, regardless of their political affiliations, to uphold the basic human dignity of migrants.
Standing Up to Injustice: From the U.S.-Mexico Border to the Mediterranean
Pope Francis did not shy away from taking on anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies head-on. When the Trump administration sought to end the DACA program in 2017, he personally appealed to President Trump to reconsider, saying that a “good pro-life person” would not seek to separate children from their families. He argued that defending families was a moral obligation, aligning his advocacy with the belief that a society’s worth is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable.
He also stood firm against the criminalization of humanitarian aid in the Mediterranean, condemning policies that sought to punish NGOs rescuing migrants at sea. His message was clear: those who help migrants are not criminals, but heroes.
In 2019, during a mass at Ciudad Juárez on the U.S.-Mexico border, Pope Francis spoke powerfully about the plight of migrants risking their lives to cross dangerous borders. His presence on that border at the intersection of two worlds was a reminder that the lives lost there are not statistics, but human lives.
His Legacy: A Moral Compass for Future Generations
Pope Francis served as a global moral compass in addition to being a religious leader. His writings made clear that migration is a long-term issue that cannot be resolved with harsh measures. It is a worldwide ethical dilemma. Our society’s ideals are reflected in how we handle migration and individuals who are compelled to cross borders because of poverty, war, or climate change.
In his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, he decried the environmental causes of migration, emphasizing that those most affected by environmental degradation—often the poor and displaced are the ones least responsible for it. In Fratelli Tutti, his 2020 encyclical on fraternity and social friendship, he denounced nationalism, xenophobia, and any belief that immigrants should be treated as less than human.
But Pope Francis’ advocacy was not just in his words—it was in his actions, his gestures, and his unwavering commitment to migrants. He canonized St. Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, the patron saint of migrants, and spoke passionately about the need to care for those who find themselves displaced, marginalized, and rejected.
In 2024, he called out the growing narrative of fear and exclusion in the U.S., urging Catholics and people of goodwill to reject stories that perpetuate hate. “Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests,” he said, quoting the parable of the Good Samaritan, urging us all to remember that love must be open to all, especially the stranger.
A Global Crusader for Immigrants: Carrying the Legacy Forward
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy that is deeply intertwined with the fight for justice, dignity, and compassion for immigrants. As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate the incredible impact he had in shifting global discourse around migration. His voice was a beacon of hope and humanity in a world increasingly hardened by fear and division.
His work, however, is far from over. The fight for migrant rights must continue—and it must be carried forward by new leaders who have the courage to stand up to exclusion and injustice. We must all be willing to take up the torch Pope Francis lit, advocating for policies that respect human dignity, promoting a world where borders are not places of division but places of welcome.
As the world grows louder with anti-immigrant rhetoric, we must grow louder in love.
As laws grow harsher, we must grow more hospitable.
As some try to erase the faces and stories of immigrants, we must remember—and remind—what Pope Francis never let us forget:
That to welcome the stranger is to welcome the sacred.
That migrants are not a threat, but a testament.
And that our response to migration is not just a political question—it’s a moral one.
As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, we also pause to reflect on the profound impact of his voice and vision. He was not just a leader of the Catholic Church—he was a global crusader for immigrants across continents, cultures, and faiths. His tireless advocacy reminded the world that every migrant carries not only a story of struggle but also a spark of the divine.
In his passing, we feel a deep void, but also a deep responsibility.
We hope, and we insist, that the legacy he leaves behind will not be buried with him. May it be carried forward by new leaders—religious and secular—who have the courage to speak truth to power, the compassion to walk with the displaced, and the vision to see migrants not as burdens, but as blessings.
The torch has been passed. May we all be worthy of carrying it.
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