Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

The theme of this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), set for September 29, 2024, is “God Walks with His People.” This observance will be followed by the 2024 session of the worldwide Synod of the Catholic Church, beginning in Rome on October 10. Pope Francis has emphasized the similarities between the biblical exodus and contemporary migrants, highlighting God’s constant compassionate presence.

Pope Francis's message for WDMR calls on Christians to recognize encounters with migrants as encounters with brothers and sisters in need. He states, “because in the Gospel Pope Francis expresses this profound insight in his 2024 WDMR message.”

A recent event exemplified such an encounter when bishops from the Americas met in Panama from August 19-23. The meeting included a visit to the Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama, where over 500,000 migrants have traversed through a perilous jungle. Among those encountered were Emyra and Rafael from Venezuela, traveling with their young children to escape violence.

This experience profoundly impacted the bishops involved, reinforcing their commitment to developing a coordinated pastoral plan to support migrants across countries from Panama to Canada.

For further information on the X Encuentro in Panama and the 2024 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, visit www.humandevelopment.va which includes words from Pope Francis: “”