From 15 to 17 February 2019, in Socrofano (Rome), Jean Blaise Mwanda participated in a meeting on the reception of migrants.
This meeting was organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference and Italian Caritas. The theme of the meeting was "Welcoming Communities: Free from Fear". Around 500 people attended this meeting representing 90 diocese of Italy and 38 nationalities.
The meeting was an opportunity to say thank you to the many communities and people who welcomed migrants after the call of Pope Francis in 2013. But also and above all it was an opportunity to convey the message as an Italian church, to all peoples to overcome their fears on the reception of migrants.
Pope Francis presided at the opening Mass. In his homily, he asked Christians "not to be afraid to welcome strangers". He added, "It's the small steps of every day that can transform history and the world. It's time to get on the rooftops and shout loudly about what you did for the migrants. Courage! Do not be afraid and go ahead".
02/18/2019