IOM mourns the passing of Pope Francis: a moral voice for migrants and the most vulnerable

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) expresses its profound sorrow at the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, whose pontificate was marked by unwavering moral leadership in defence of human dignity and the rights of migrants and the most vulnerable.

From the very beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis placed migration at the centre of his mission. His first trip outside of Rome in 2013 took him to Lampedusa, where he commemorated migrants who had lost their lives crossing the Mediterranean. There he denounced what he called the “globalization of indifference” and urged the world not to look away from human suffering.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis brought global attention to the human face of migration, consistently urging compassion, solidarity and shared responsibility. In his message for the 2018 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, he encouraged the international community to welcome, protect, promote and integrate migrants and refugees. These are principles that should be a constant moral guidance to the international community.

His clear and courageous voice reminded the world of our shared humanity and the urgency to act. His deep engagement with the realities of people on the move left a lasting mark on global efforts to promote safe, dignified and humane migration.

IOM joins the international community in mourning a figure whose legacy will continue to inspire. His strong commitment to those at the margins stands as a guiding light in the pursuit of a more compassionate and just world.