Message of Pope Leo XIV for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees
The 2026 World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be observed on Sunday, September 27, with the theme “Even just one of these children.”
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) is celebrated annually on the last Sunday of September, and in 2026, it falls on September 27. This day is designated by the Catholic Church and recognized internationally to raise awareness about the challenges faced by migrants, refugees, and displaced persons, and to promote solidarity and support for them
Pope Leo XIV has chosen “Even just one of these children” as the theme for the 112th edition of WDMR. This theme emphasizes the Church’s concern for minors directly involved in migration, highlighting the duty to welcome and protect each child, as taught in the Gospel according to Matthew 18:5: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me” The focus reflects the urgent need to address the rights and dignity of migrant children in the current global migration context.
