Pope Francis shared his monthly prayer intention video for January, urging the faithful to pray for the right to an education.
Pope Francis’ Worldwide Prayer Network of the Apostleship of Prayer developed “The Pope Video” initiative in 2016 as a way to spread the Holy Father’s monthly prayer intentions on the challenges humanity faces in a video based format.
Read below the full transcribed and translated prayer intention of Pope Francis, and watch “The Pope Video” for January!
“Today, we are experiencing an educational catastrophe — and this is no exaggeration. Due to wars, migrations, and poverty, about 250 million children lack access to instruction.
Every child and young person has the right to go to school, regardless of their migratory status. Education is a beacon of hope for all. It can save migrants and refugees from discrimination, criminal networks, and exploitation. So many minors are exploited. Education can help them integrate into the communities that welcome them.
Education opens doors to a better future, allowing migrants and refugees to contribute to society, whether in their new country or in their country of origin if they choose to return.
Let us never forget that whoever welcomes a stranger welcomes Christ Himself.
Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by wars, that their right to education is always respected. Education is necessary to build a more human world.”
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