atrocities which always accompany wars and violence".
 "Now as then, we hear the angel say: 'Rise, take the child and his mother, and
flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you'. His is the voice heard by
many
migrants who would never have left their homeland had they not been forced to.
Among these are many Christians who in great numbers have abandoned their
native
lands these past years, despite the fact that they have dwelt there from the
earliest days of Christianity. Finally, we also hear today the voice of the
Psalmist: 'By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we
remembered Zion'. His is the cry of those who would readily return to their own
country, if only there they could find adequate conditions of security and
sustenance. Here too my thoughts turn to the Christians of the Middle East, who
desire to contribute fully as citizens to the spiritual and material well-being
of their respective nations".
 "Many of the causes of migration could have been addressed some time ago", the
Holy Father commented. "So many disasters could have been prevented, or at
least
their harshest effects mitigated. Today too, before it is too late, much could
be done to end these tragedies and to build peace. But that would mean
rethinking entrenched habits and practices, beginning with issues involving the
arms trade, the provision of raw materials and energy, investment, policies of
financing and sustainable development, and even the grave scourge of
corruption.
We all know, too, that with regard to migration there is a need for mid-term
and
long-term planning which is not limited to emergency responses. Such planning
should include effective assistance for integrating migrants in their receiving
countries, while also promoting the development of their countries of origin
through policies inspired by solidarity, yet not linking assistance to
ideological strategies and practices alien or contrary to the cultures of the
peoples being assisted".
 "Without overlooking other dramatic situations - in this regard, I think
particularly of the border between Mexico and the United States of America,
which I will be near when I visit Ciudad Juarez next month - my thoughts turn
in
a special way to Europe. Over the past year Europe has witnessed a great wave
of
refugees - many of whom died in the attempt - a wave unprecedented in recent
history, not even after the end of the Second World War. Many migrants from
Asia
and Africa see in Europe a beacon for principles such as equality before the
law
and for values inherent in human nature, including the inviolable dignity and
equality of every person, love of neighbour regardless of origin or
affiliation,
freedom of conscience and solidarity towards our fellow men and women".
 "All the same, the massive number of arrivals on the shores of Europe appear
to
be overburdening the system of reception painstakingly built on the ashes of
the
Second World War, a system that is still an acknowledged beacon of humanity.
Given the immense influx and the inevitable problems it creates, a number of
questions have be raised about the real possibilities for accepting and
accommodating people, about changes in the cultural and social structures of
the
receiving countries, and about the reshaping of certain regional geopolitical
balances. Equally significant are fears about security, further exacerbated by
the growing threat of international terrorism. The present wave of migration
seems to be undermining the foundations of that 'humanistic spirit' which
Europe
has always loved and defended. Yet there should be no loss of the values and
principles of humanity, respect for the dignity of every person, mutual
subsidiarity and solidarity, however much they may prove, in some moments of
history, a burden difficult to bear. I wish, then, to reaffirm my conviction
that Europe, aided by its great cultural and religious heritage, has the means
to defend the centrality of the human person and to find the right balance
between its twofold moral responsibility to protect the rights of its citizens
and to ensure assistance and acceptance to migrants".
 Francis expressed his gratitude for the initiatives that have been adopted in
order to provide a dignified reception to these persons, such as the Migrant
and
Refugee Fund of the Council of Europe Development Bank, and the generous
solidarity shown by a number of countries. "I also have in mind the nations
neighbouring Syria, which have responded immediately with help and acceptance,
especially Lebanon, where refugees make up a fourth of the total population,
and
Jordan, which has not closed its borders despite the fact that it already
harbours hundreds of thousands of refugees. Nor should we overlook the efforts
made by other countries in the front lines, especially Turkey and Greece. I
wish
to express particular gratitude to Italy, whose decisive commitment has saved
many lives in the Mediterranean, and which continues to accept responsibility
on
its territory for a massive number of refugees. It is my hope that the
traditional sense of hospitality and solidarity which distinguishes the Italian
people will not be weakened by the inevitable difficulties of the moment, but
that, in light of its age-old tradition, the nation may prove capable of
accepting and integrating the social, economic and cultural contribution which
migrants can offer".
 "It is important that nations in the forefront of meeting the present
emergency
not be left alone, and it is also essential to initiate a frank and respectful
dialogue among all the countries involved in the problem - countries of origin,
transit, or reception - so that, with greater boldness and creativity, new and
sustainable solutions can be sought. As things presently stand, there is no
place for autonomous solutions pursued by individual states, since the
consequences of the decisions made by each inevitably have repercussions on the
entire international community. Indeed, migrations, more then ever before, will
play a pivotal role in the future of our world, and our response can only be
the
fruit of a common effort respectful of human dignity and the rights of persons.
The Development Agenda adopted last September by the United Nations for the
next
fifteen years, which deals with many of the problems causing migration, and
other documents of the international community on handling the issue of
migration, will be able to find application consistent with expectations if
they
are able to put the person at the centre of political decisions at every level,
seeing humanity as one family, and all people as brothers and sisters, with
respect for mutual differences and convictions of conscience".
 "In facing the issue of migrations, one cannot overlook its cultural
implications, beginning with those linked to religious affiliation. Extremism
and fundamentalism find fertile soil not only in the exploitation of religion
for purposes of power, but also in the vacuum of ideals and the loss of
identity
- including religious identity - which dramatically marks the so-called West.
This vacuum gives rise to the fear which leads to seeing the other as a threat
and an enemy, to closed-mindedness and intransigence in defending preconceived
notions. The phenomenon of migration raises a serious cultural issue which
necessarily demands a response. The acceptance of migrants can thus prove a
good
opportunity for new understanding and broader horizons, both on the part of
those accepted, who have the responsibility to respect the values, traditions
and laws of the community which takes them in, and on the part of the latter,
who are called to acknowledge the beneficial contribution which each immigrant
can make to the whole community. In this context, the Holy See reaffirms its
commitment in the ecumenical and interreligious sectors to inaugurating a
sincere and respectful dialogue which, by valuing the distinctness and identity
of each individual, can foster a harmonious coexistence among all the members
of
society".
 The Pope remarked that the conclusion of important international agreements
during 2015 may give solid hope for the future. Firstly, there was the
so-called
Iran nuclear deal and the long-awaited agreement on climate at the Paris
Conference, which "represents for the entire international community an
important achievement; it reflects a powerful collective realisation of the
grave responsibility incumbent on individuals and nations to protect creation,
to promote a 'culture of care which permeates all of society'. It is now
essential that those commitments prove more than simply a good intention, but
rather a genuine duty incumbent on all states to do whatever is needed to
safeguard our beloved earth for the sake of all mankind, especially generations
yet to come".
 The year which has just begun promises, he said, to be "full of challenges and
more than a few tensions have already appeared on the horizon. I think above
all
of the serious disagreements which have arisen in the Persian Gulf region, as
well as the disturbing military test conducted on the Korean peninsula. It is
my
hope that these conflicts will be open to the voice of peace and a readiness to
seek agreements. Here I note with satisfaction of certain significant and
particularly encouraging gestures. I think especially of the climate of
peaceful
coexistence in which the recent elections in the Central African Republic were
held; these are a positive sign of the will to persevere on the path to full
national reconciliation. I also think of the new initiatives under way in
Cyprus
to heal a long-standing division, and to the efforts being made by the
Colombian
people to leave behind past conflicts and to attain the long-awaited peace. We
all look with hope to the important steps made by the international community
to
achieve a political and diplomatic solution of the crisis in Syria, one which
can put a long overdue end to the sufferings of the population. The signals

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