Cardinal Pizzaballa, called attention to the thousands of “invisible” migrants in the Holy Land, urging the Church to recognize their dignity and humanity.
Newsroom (29/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a homily delivered during a Mass for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on September 27 at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, called attention to the thousands of “invisible” migrants in the Holy Land, urging the Church to recognize their dignity and humanity.
Drawing from the Gospel story of Lazarus and the rich man, Pizzaballa emphasized the importance of giving a name and a face to those marginalized by society. “Having a name means having an identity, a story, a face, a family, and being part of a community,” he said. “In short, it means existing for someone.” He lamented the global tendency to overlook the plight of migrants, noting that millions are forced to flee their homes in search of better opportunities or to escape conflict, often living in the shadows without legal protections.
The cardinal described migration as a “global phenomenon” that demands collective international action. “Building walls is not the solution,” he declared, arguing that barriers reflect fear and a lack of vision, stifling hope for a better future. In the Holy Land, he said, the ongoing conflict exacerbates the struggles of families who leave to secure brighter prospects for their children, often enduring displacement and precarious living conditions.
Pizzaballa highlighted the harsh realities faced by migrants in the region, including humiliating working conditions, forced expulsions, and the trauma of children uprooted to unfamiliar lands. He also referenced the violence that has scarred the region, citing the October 7 attacks on kibbutzim, recent rocket attacks from Lebanon in northern Israel, and hostilities involving Iran in Tel Aviv. These conflicts, he noted, have left countless individuals—many unnamed—bearing the brunt of suffering and loss.
The Church, Pizzaballa stressed, has a clear mission: to listen to the voiceless and restore their dignity. “These are real people, waiting for our response,” he said, calling on the faithful to heed the call of the Lord, who “knocks at our door” through the marginalized. He expressed gratitude to Israelis who advocate for migrants’ rights and treat them with respect, acknowledging their contributions to the social and economic fabric of the Holy Land.
The cardinal’s words underscored a powerful message: the Church must not remain silent in the face of such suffering. By giving a name to the “Lazaruses” of today, it can affirm their humanity and challenge a world that too often chooses not to see.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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