Pontificate of Pope Francis distinguished himself by a constant approach to global social problems, with a proximity marked by a pastoral of mercy towards migrants, whose impact was especially visible in Latin America.
In an interview with ACI Press, Gerardo Cruz González, University Professor and Member of the Clamor Network and the Socio-Pastoral Observatory of Human Mobility of Mesoamerica and the Caribbean (Osmeca), stressed that Pope Francis was characterized by his “preferential option by the most vulnerable”.
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Cruz González explained that the Pontiff’s pastoral proposal was not limited to a healthcare action, but implied “a whole path that goes from the reception to the integration of people in the societies where they reach.”
The professor also in the UNAM stressed the influence of the Pope on the ecclesial renewal, who “acted from the first person, which greatly influenced this new vision (…) and in the renewed commitment of Bishops and Catholic lay people.”
According to Cruz González, the Pope did not approach migrants for sympathy, but because “he really discovered that there are reflected the great injustices of our economic and political system worldwide.” “He has brought to the world the idea of God’s Church-Pueblo, and a pastor who walks between his Church-Pueblo of God, as one of them,” he added.
Latin America: context of a growing crisis
Migration in Latin America and the Caribbean has grown considerably in recent years. According to data From the UN, the number of international migrants in the region went from 8.3 million in 2010 to 14.8 million in 2020. Currently, it is estimated that about 48.3 million Latin Americans live outside their countries of origin.
In this context, the voice of Pope Francis has been fundamental. Fr. Mauricio Alejandro Sepúlveda, director of the National Secretariat of Social Pastoral Cáritas Colombiana, told ACI Prensa that “the voice of Pope Francis has resonated singular force” in the continent.
The priest stressed that the Pope called to address the structural causes of the exodus in Latin America and pointed out “with its own name the evils that tear the continent, such as endemic corruption, drug trafficking violence, the lack of labor opportunities, the social exclusion of indigenous and Afro -descendant communities, and the environmental degradation that expel uncertain ”.
A support network inspired by its teaching
In Mexico, a country of transit and migratory destination, Mons. Enrique Sánchez Martínez – who has been a bishop in the dioceses of Nuevo Laredo and Mexicali, both on the border with the United States – said that the Pope, since the beginning of his pontificate, has been “in service of going to the meeting of migrants”.
He recalled that, although migration has been a constant phenomenon throughout history, Pope Francis insisted in a special way to Catholics in the importance of looking at migrants with dignity and “of considering all of them as brothers, as people, and that we must attend them, promote them and receive them as brothers that we are.”
That attitude, he said, has inspired thousands of people committed to this cause.
Currently, the Catholic Church in Mexico has 50 migrant houses, 7 dining rooms and 5 modules of legal and informative care that provide humanitarian aid, spiritual accompaniment and legal orientation.
The internal displacement crisis
Another relevant aspect of Pope Francis’s teaching has been the visibility of internal displacement, caused by violence, organized crime, political conflicts or the effects of climate change.
Father Sepúlveda stressed that the Pope has incorporated this phenomenon into his teaching, highlighting that it is not only about those who cross borders, but also “a tragedy within the borders of a country.”
In that sense, he identified four key axes in the pontificate of Pope Francis:
1.- Prophetic complaint and visibility.
The priest said that “his complaint has not been limited to the immediate effects of violence, but has gone further, pointing out the deep and structural causes that generate mass displacements.”
2. Concrete pastoral response
Fr. Rey Sepúlveda indicated that Pope Francis promoted the creation of the migrants and refugees section within the Dicasterio for the Service of Integral Human Development.
He explained that this organism “promotes the integration and social protection of displaced people, ensuring that local communities and churches are prepared to welcome these vulnerable people,” in addition to providing materials for local churches.
3.- Emphasis on climate change
The expert said that the Pope stressed that “climate change not only affects the environment, but is also exacerbating humanitarian crises, generating forced displacements and new forms of poverty.”
4. Structural transformation and global solidarity
Finally, he indicated that the Pope has promoted “a pastoral response that seeks not only to relieve the suffering of the displaced, but also to change the structures that cause it.”
The priest finally said that “the Church under its leadership has been a lighthouse of hope and a tireless defender of human dignity, international solidarity and global justice in the face of one of the most complex and urgent crises of our times.”
Diego López Colín
I am a graduate of journalism at the Carlos Septién García school with experience of religious institutional communication. Since 2016 I write for digital media and, since 2018, I report the most important news about the Catholic event in Mexico for the Ewtn news channel. ACI Press correspondent in Mexico since 2023.