Vatican City, Oct 27, 2005 / 22:00 pm
In a message made public today, Pope Benedict called for “Hope, courage, love and 'creativity in charity' regarding the widespread phenomenon of migrations.
The message was published for the upcoming 92nd World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated on January 15, 2006, and has the theme of "Migrations, sign of the times."
Among other questions and challenges, Pope Benedict stressed the recent trend of an increasing part of the phenomenon involving women, saying " female emigration tends to become more and more autonomous. Women cross the border of their homeland alone in search of work in another country. Indeed it often happens that the migrant woman becomes the principal source of income for her family. It is a fact that the presence of women is especially prevalent in sectors that offer low salaries.”
Pope Benedict called on Christians “to dedicate themselves to assuring just treatment for migrant women out of respect for their femininity in recognition of their equal rights."