The Holy Father started by stating that churches are not an end in itself but God's plan since calling Abraham was to "create a people blessed by his love to bring his blessing to all the nations of the earth."
He explained that the Church was not just made up of priests, bishops and the Vatican, but that it needed to be like a family, open to all humanity.
Speaking of the growing number of refugees around the world, Pope Francis called on the church to be "their neighbours, share their fears and uncertainty about the future, and take concrete steps to reduce their suffering."
"Millions of families, millions of them, refugees from many countries and different faiths, experience in their stories tragedies and wounds that will not likely be healed. May the Lord support the people and institutions that work with generosity and hospitality to provide refugees with shelter and dignity, and give them reasons to hope," he said in St. Peter's Square.
Pope Francis makes his appeal ahead of World Refugee Day, June 20, an annual event organised by the United Nations General Assembly dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world.
"Jesus was a refugee. He had to flee to save his life. He was a refugee," he affirmed.
The session concluded with a reminder that the Church grows not by skill or merit, but through experiencing the love of God daily.
"This makes us feel that we are truly his, in his hands, making us grow in communion with Him and with one another."
"Through their lives, Christians must always bless, bless God and bless all of us as well. We Christians are people who bless, who know how to bless. This is [a] beautiful vocation!"
Source: AsiaNews.it