Pope Leo Urges Greater Protection and Care for Displaced Children

Vatican, Nov 10, 2026: Pope Leo XIV has called on the Church to strengthen its commitment to migrants and refugees, with particular attention to the growing number of displaced children, amid increasing humanitarian challenges caused by conflicts, violence and natural disasters.

In a video message released on 10 November to the Council of the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), the Pope encouraged the organisation to continue its mission of welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants, refugees and returnees. The message was delivered as the ICMC held its Plenary Meeting in Rome from 10 to 12 November.

“I urge you to persevere in your noble and important mission of strengthening the Church’s services to welcome, protect, promote and integrate migrants, refugees and returnees,” he said, expressing his particular hope that the organisation’s efforts would “help find new ways to care for displaced children.”

Pope Leo XIV noted that the number of displaced children “tragically continues to grow” and stressed the need to work with their countries of origin to address the causes forcing them to flee. He also called for protection and welcome for these children in countries of transit and destination.

The Council, which represents national Bishops’ Conferences and local Churches from countries across the world, is meeting to reflect on the global situation of human mobility and the challenges facing the Church in responding to it.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the ICMC, which was founded in 1951 by Pope Pius XII, Cardinal Montini, who later became Pope Paul VI, and American layman James Norris.

Addressing the broader humanitarian situation, the Pope acknowledged that the meeting was taking place at a difficult time, as “wars, violence, injustices, natural disasters and widening social and economic inequalities are forcing millions of people to flee their homes and nations.”

He observed that these circumstances create significant humanitarian and social challenges in countries of origin, transit and destination, further compounded by declining funding for international protection and assistance.

In this context, Pope Leo XIV underscored the importance of fostering “understanding, dialogue and solidarity”. He also encouraged the ICMC to continue advocating for the God-given dignity of migrants and refugees, while strengthening cooperation with other faith-based organisations and civil society.

Referring to his Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te, the Pope recalled that “in every rejected migrant it is Christ himself who knocks at the door.”

Courtesy: Vatican News