Pope Francis Defends Migrants and Refugees in Christmas Speech

Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, in his Christmas speech, likened the situation of Mary and Joseph to that of migrants and refugees, defending the rights of this group of people and stating that respecting and accepting foreigners is essential to faith. In his Christmas address, delivered at midnight on December 25th in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, he said, "Countless steps are hidden in the steps that Mary and Joseph took. Today we witness entire families being forced to leave their homes." The Pope referred to the journey of Jesus' mother and Joseph to Bethlehem - now in the West Bank - where Christian believers commemorate the birth of Jesus. He added, "Often, leaving one's homeland is tied to hope and aspiration; hope for the future. But for many, leaving home happens for only one reason: survival." He stated that God is manifested in "uninvited guests, sometimes unrecognizable, those who pass through our cities, walk beside us, board our buses, and knock on our doors." The Catholic leader said that Jesus "showed that true power and real freedom are revealed in respecting and helping the vulnerable, despite poverty and hardship." He added, "Christmas is a time when the power to help others should replace the rule of fear and terror." Thousands attended the Christmas Eve ceremony in Vatican City, which is annually accompanied by a speech from the leader of the Catholic Church. On Sunday night, Pope Francis delivered a nearly 90-minute speech, most of which was in Latin. The 81-year-old Pope is the son of Italian immigrants to Argentina. Francis has repeatedly defended the rights of refugees and migrants. This marks the fifth year that the Argentine Pope has delivered a Christmas speech as the leader of the Catholic Church. Over 1.2 billion people adhere to the Catholic Church, the largest branch of Christianity. On Christmas Day, Pope Francis will deliver a speech known as "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and to the World) at St. Peter's Basilica. The "To the City and to the World" speech is delivered twice a year.