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Pope Leo XIV appeals for protection of migrant minors

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV called for the protection of migrant children and adolescents during a general audience on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Speaking at St. Peter's Square, the Pope highlighted the vulnerabilities of young people forced to leave their homes and urged everyone to take responsibility for their lives.

The Pope's remarks preceded the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, scheduled for September 27. He reported that minors often face violence, torture, exploitation, and traumatic conditions, sometimes losing their lives during migration. According to the Pope, public and private institutions must shift their focus from managing migration flows to ensuring the immediate protection of human rights.

In a message released in August titled "Even Just One of These Children," the Pope addressed specific crimes against minors, including human trafficking, sexual violence, and recruitment into armed conflicts. He stated that every child possesses infinite dignity and called for effective legal tools to guarantee their safety.

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How the coverage unfolded

  1. Sep 23, 2:31 AM Agência Ecclesia Português Vaticano: Papa alerta para «sofrimentos indescritíveis» de menores migrantes e apela à responsabilidade global
  2. Sep 23, 3:32 AM Alfa y Omega Español El Papa clama contra «las penurias indescriptibles» sufridas por los menores migrantes
  3. Sep 23, 3:24 AM Vatican News Français Léon XIV invite à protéger les mineurs migrants victimes de violences

More on Pope Leo XIV

  1. Sep 23, 5:46 AM PT · 8 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit France
  2. Sep 23, 5:46 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV visits Dicastery for Culture and Education
  3. Sep 23, 5:46 AM PT · 7 sources Pope Leo XIV delivers General Audience
  4. Sep 23, 5:31 AM PT Pope Leo XIV ends salary cuts
  5. Sep 23, 5:31 AM PT Pope Leo XIV approves dialogue document
  6. Sep 23, 5:31 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV to celebrate three public Masses in France
  7. Sep 23, 5:18 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV to award Ratzinger Prize 2026 to John C. Cavadini
  8. Sep 23, 5:17 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV sends message to AI4Peace symposium
  9. Sep 23, 5:16 AM PT Diocese of Pontoise to host 'Pape-zones' for Pope Leo XIV's visit
  10. Sep 23, 5:14 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV releases message for 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees
  11. Sep 23, 5:03 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV appeals for care and protection of migrant children
  12. Sep 23, 4:50 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV holds general audience
  13. Sep 23, 4:46 AM PT · 8 sources Pope Leo XIV holds General Audience
  14. Sep 23, 4:31 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV mentions Fulton Sheen beatification
  15. Sep 23, 4:30 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV names Silvio Pereira de Castro as auxiliary bishop of São Miguel Paulista
  16. Sep 23, 4:15 AM PT Pope Leo XIV to host education congress
  17. Sep 23, 4:14 AM PT Pope Leo XIV to meet with Eastern Church leaders
  18. Sep 23, 4:07 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Metz
  19. Sep 23, 4:01 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit France
  20. Sep 23, 4:01 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV's envoy Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle to preside over beatification of Fulton Sheen
  21. Sep 23, 4:01 AM PT · 11 sources Pope Leo XIV to travel 19,000 miles on 14 flights during trip to Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay
  22. Sep 23, 4:01 AM PT Pope Leo XIV to meet with Oriental Church leaders
  23. Sep 23, 4:00 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit France
  24. Sep 23, 3:57 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV publishes encyclical Magnifica humanitas
  25. Sep 23, 3:54 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to send message to AI4Peace symposium

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