Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I wish to greet all of you who have participated in this moment of prayer with which we reaffirmed the Church’s attention towards the various categories of vulnerable people on the move. In union with the faithful of all the Dioceses in the world, we have celebrated World Day of Migrants and Refugees in order to reaffirm the need that no one be excluded from society, be they citizens who have been longtime residents or newcomers.

In order to underscore this commitment, I will shortly inaugurate a sculpture which has as its theme these words from the Letter to the Hebrews: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (13:2). This sculpture in bronze and clay depicts a group of migrants from various cultures and different historical periods. I wished to have this sculpture placed here in Saint Peter’s Square so that it may be a reminder to everyone of the evangelical challenge of welcoming.

Tomorrow, Monday, 30 September, a meeting for national dialogue will begin in Cameroon in order to seek a resolution to the difficult crisis afflicting the country. As I feel close to the suffering and hopes of the beloved people of Cameroon people, I invite everyone to pray that this dialogue may be fruitful and may lead to just and lasting solutions of peace to benefit all. May Mary, Queen of Peace intercede for us.