It is with deep sorrow and great respect that the Southern Africa Migration Network (SAMIN) joins the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis—an unwavering moral leader, a humble servant of humanity, and a fearless voice for the voiceless.
Born to a family of migrants in Argentina, Pope Francis carried a profound understanding of the migrant experience in his heart. From the very beginning of his papacy, he championed the rights and dignity of refugees and displaced persons across the globe. His first journey as Pope to the island of Lampedusa, where countless migrants perished in the Mediterranean, was a defining moment that reminded the world of our shared humanity. With deep compassion, he condemned the “globalization of indifference” and called on us all to see migrants not as burdens but as human beings full of dreams, hopes, and potential.
Pope Francis did more than speak—he acted. He took twelve Syrian refugees from the island of Lesbos to Rome, offering them sanctuary in a powerful rebuke to unjust migration policies and a clear call for mercy and inclusion. He stood with those who were being turned away, urging nations like the United States and others to end the practice of mass deportation and instead embrace policies that reflect justice, compassion, and international solidarity.
Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis tirelessly called for peace in regions torn by violence. He visited the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, boldly standing with communities devastated by war and conflict. He pleaded for the guns to be silenced and for peace to be given a chance. His cry was one of love and justice—urging an end to the suffering, displacement, and destruction caused by armed conflict.
In honouring his life and legacy, SAMIN joins Pope Francis’s final prayers:
- Let there be peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and South Sudan, countries which Pope Francis always prayed for peace.
- Let us end war, forced displacement, and the inhumane treatment of refugees and migrants.
- Let us welcome the stranger, protect the vulnerable, and stand for the dignity of every human life.
Pope Francis challenged the Church, governments, and civil society to build a world rooted in inclusion, compassion, and dialogue. His teachings in Fratelli Tutti and Laudato Si’ reminded us that we are one human family, and that the cries of the Earth and the cries of the poor—especially migrants—are deeply intertwined.
As Father Rampeoane Hlobo, Director of the Justice and Ecology Office/Justice and Ecology Network of Africa (JEO/JENA), who is a founding member of SAMIN, said, “ Pope Francis carried out a mission of reforming the world, and it will continue even after his passing.” As we reflect on the extraordinary life of this shepherd of peace and justice, SAMIN recommits to the path he walked: a path of solidarity, mercy, and truth.
Rest in eternal peace
The Southern Africa Migration Network (SAMIN) is a regional platform that brings together civil society organisations, academic institutions, faith-based actors, and grassroots movements working on migration and human mobility across Southern Africa. SAMIN advocates for just, humane, and rights-based migration policies, promotes regional cooperation, and supports migrant-led responses to displacement and vulnerability. In the spirit of Pope Francis, SAMIN envisions a region where migrants are not only protected but also empowered to thrive in dignity and peace.
Issued by:
The Southern Africa Migration Network (SAMIN)
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