Strangers No More: Carrying the Flame of Vatican II

Abstract

Human mobility is a major “sign of the times” for the Church and the world. This paper illustrates how Pope Francis has carried the flame of the Second Vatican Council and his predecessors’ concern for the migrants and refugees through his passionate teachings and powerful symbolic actions. The paper consists of two parts. The first part deals with the magisterial teaching on migration and migrants till the years of Pope Benedict XVI. The second part highlights Pope Francis’ prophetic role—his powerful symbolic actions, poignant pleas and his promotion of a culture of solidarity—in awakening the conscience of the world to accept migrants as brothers and sisters, and embrace them as gifts to be nourished for the enrichment of human community. The paper argues that Pope Francis, a champion of migrants and refugees, carries forward the spirit of the Second Vatican Council by powerfully, personally and tangibly reaffirming the pathways in accordance with the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and of his predecessors.