“The images of the biblical exodus and of migrants share several similarities,” reads the message, which the Vatican released on Monday.
“Like the people of Israel in the time of Moses, migrants often flee from oppression, abuse, insecurity, discrimination, and lack of opportunities for development.
“Similar to the Jews in the desert, migrants encounter many obstacles in their path. They are tired by thirst and hunger; they are exhausted by toil and disease; they are tempted by despair.
“In this, we see an extension of the mystery of the Incarnation.
“For this reason, the encounter with the migrant, as with every brother and sister in need, is also an encounter with Christ.
“He himself said so.
“It is he who knocks on our door, hungry, thirsty, an outsider, naked, sick and imprisoned, asking to be met and assisted.
“God not only walks with his people, but also within them, in the sense that he identifies himself with men and women on their journey through history, particularly with the poor and the marginalised.”
ANSA
