Pope Leo XIV took head-on the migration crisis which is polarizing Spain, among other countries, in his June 8 address to the Spanish Parliament. Warning that the violations of “the universal principle of the equal dignity of all human beings” which are occurring against migrants “challenges the conscience of nations and the ethical foundation of the international order today,” he argued that nations must jointly address “the root causes” of this crisis: the lack of “peace, security and a future” at home which drives people to flee to other nations.
“Numerous men, women, and children are forced, by often dramatic circumstances, to leave their communities and leave behind loved ones, histories, and ties. This reality goes beyond any purely demographic or economic analysis: it constitutes an eminently moral and legal issue….
“The situation of migrants and refugees calls for a response that focuses on people, addresses the root causes that force them to leave, and goes beyond the mere management of migration flows. This gives rise to a twofold demand for social justice: to offer safe and legal pathways, a respectful welcome and real opportunities for integration; and, at the same time, to promote the right to remain in one’s own land, working to ensure that no one has to leave their home due to a lack of peace, security or decent living conditions, including economic inequalities and the effects of the climate crisis (cf. Magnifica Humanitas, 81)….
