About World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day, celebrated annually on June 20th, draws global attention to the plight of millions of refugees— individuals forcibly displaced from their homes due to various forms of conflict, violence, or persecution. As per UNHCR data, the refugee population surged to an alarming 32.5 million by mid-2022, making their struggle an urgent humanitarian concern. Refugees face immense risks, including physical danger, emotional trauma, and socio-economic instability. In response, the Catholic Church champions a clear message of compassion and solidarity, which is rooted in its call to “welcome the stranger.” Through this conviction, the Church urges the faithful to actively participate in refugee resettlement initiatives, to better educate themselves on the causes, consequences, and effective solutions to refugee crises, and to support refugees living in their communities.

Too often we ignore the needs of refugees and other forced migrants seeking a place of safety. During a 2021 address in Nicosia, Cyprus, Pope Francis lamented this tendency, stating that “barbed wires are put in place so as not to let the refugee enter, the one who comes to ask for freedom, bread, help, brotherhood, joy, who is fleeing from hatred and is faced with a hatred that is called barbed wire. May the Lord awaken the conscience of all of us in the face of these things,” Catholic communities must become more engaged, working tirelessly to transform these teachings into concrete actions. This document highlights some of the ways in which Catholics can reach a deeper understanding of and commitment to the integration and support of refugees in their local communities.