The following is a quote from Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum, following the death of Pope Francis:
“We are thankful Pope Francis used his voice for people who are vulnerable, including refugees and migrants, and called the world to respond to the displaced millions around the globe. We encourage Francis’ successor to continue this legacy.
“In the pope’s first address to the U.S. Congress in 2015, he called for our country to join the global response to those seeking safety. As he said then, ‘Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War. This presents us with great challenges and many hard decisions. On this continent, too, thousands of persons are led to travel north in search of a better life for themselves and for their loved ones, in search of greater opportunities. Is this not what we want for our own children? We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation. To respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal. We need to avoid a common temptation nowadays: to discard whatever proves troublesome. Let us remember the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Mt 7:12).’
“We also appreciate the pope’s Easter message yesterday: ‘I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God!’”