Migrants and refugees: men and women in search of peace

Pope Francis’ message for the 51st World Day of Peace has been released by the vatican.

"Peace to all people and to all nations on earth! Peace, which the angels proclaimed to the shepherds on Christmas night,[1] is a profound aspiration for everyone, for each individual and all peoples, and especially for those who most keenly suffer its absence."

In his message Pope Francis says his thoughts and prayers are always for the over 250 million migrants worldwide, of whom 22.5 million are refugees. He encourages us all to have compassion and "embrace all those fleeing from war and hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation to leave their homelands."

Read the complete message on the Vatican website.