Even Just One of These Children
Pope Leo XIV’s Message for the 2026 World Day of Migrants and Refugees is lived out by IMBISA in Pemba, Cabo Delgado.
“Even just one of these children” is the theme of Pope Leo XIV’s Message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2026 (WDMR), which is celebrated today, Sunday, September 27, the last Sunday of the month.
IMBISA, responding to this invitation from the Holy Father, is holding its ordinary meeting in Pemba, Cabo Delgado province, from September 28 to October 2, to celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees with those affected by the conflicts in the region and to learn about the real situation in which the people find themselves, and thus show its solidarity with that suffering people and with its martyred brother, Bishop of Pemba, D. António Juliasse Ferreira Sandramo. In their program of activities, they plan to visit the Naminaue refugee camp on October 31, 2026.
It is worth noting that, in his message, the Holy Father draws attention to the reality of many minors forced to abandon their own land because of wars, poverty, violence, environmental disasters, and other tragedies; a number that continues to increase dramatically. In the context of migratory flows, the most vulnerable are precisely children and adolescents. In addition to being forced to move and leave their own homes, they experience suffering such as the loss of parents and loved ones, violence, the anguish of distance, and separation due to repatriations. Even young people who face the journey with their parents are still exposed to extreme and traumatic conditions. The Holy Father recalls that many minors lose their lives along migratory routes or become victims of human trafficking, exploitation, sexual violence, and other atrocities.
In the message, Pope Leo makes an appeal to everyone’s responsibility, asking that each person feel involved in the lives of these young people; even if it is “only one,” because every child, every human being, possesses infinite dignity and it is necessary to ensure that it is respected. On a personal, ecclesial, and institutional level, the Holy Father invites a concrete commitment to integrate and value young migrants and refugees, placing the protection and dignity of each child and adolescent at the center.
Pope Leo highlights the light of solidarity already visible in various communities, of all those who have already decided not to turn their faces away, of those who have opened the doors of their homes, of the many volunteers and workers who daily care for the invisible wounds of young migrants, witnessing that love can overcome indifference.
The Holy Father reminds us that we are all called to perform an act of humanity and faith: in every child we can welcome and encounter the Lord. “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me” (Mt 18:5); even if it is only one, it is not about numbers or statistics. The Gospel invites us not to make calculations; each human being is made in the image and likeness of God, is the presence of the Lord.
Asking for Mary’s intercession, the Holy Father entrusts all young migrants and refugees to her maternal protection and hopes that our communities will become living and reliable signs of the Gospel.