Churches as Centres of aid and hope One of the most striking sights for Czerny was seeing churches in Valencia transformed into makeshift food distribution centres. "With shops closed, these sacred spaces became essential for distributing aid and serving as places of compassion, faith, and hope amid immense suffering," he said. "In these moments, we saw Christ leave the tabernacle and become present-not sacramentally, but in the people who were suffering and those who served them."

Consistent with the intention of this video message, each year since 1914, the Church has invited the faithful to pray for migrants on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.“God walks with His People” is the theme chosen for the 2024 Day, which will be held on 29 September.

Cardinal Czerny: Protecting rights enhances communities Cardinal Michael Czerny, the Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, which organizes the World Day, reflected on Pope Francis' reminding us that God is journeying alongside His people."The Holy Family," the Prefect recalled, "had to take refuge in a foreign land because Baby Jesus’s life was in danger," and therefore, he invited, "All of us are invited to welcome, protect, promote and integrate any person who has fled their homeland to save their lives or who are searching for a dignified future.""By protecting the rights of migrants, the integral human development of every person," Cardinal Czerny reaffirmed, "is promoted," and "communities that welcome them, are enriched in multiple ways.”

Fr. Fornos: 'We are one human family' Father Frédéric Fornos S.J., International Director of the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, reflected on this month's intention, likewise recalling the drama of migrants and refugees.“Migrants fleeing from war and hunger, often survivors of desperate journeys, are the object of political battles,"he lamented. "It is important to remember that they are not numbers or statistics; they are people. Our personal and collective histories are marked by migration. Rather than treating migrants like a burden or a problem, we should find solutions based on compassion and respect for their human dignity. "

"This vision," he continued, "is rooted in the Gospel and prayer and the Church’s magisterium reminds us of this.”

The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network The Pope Video is an official global initiative with the purpose of disseminating the Holy Father's monthly prayer intentions. It is carried out by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer). Since 2016, The Pope Video has had more than 203 million views across all the Vatican’s social networks and is translated into more than 23 languages, receiving press coverage in 114 countries.Then, a closed-door dialogue with the priests on pastoral issues, which began with a prayer written by Pope Paul VI.

Welcome from the nuns “Thank you, thank you. How many novices do you have?”. The Pope immediately began conversing with five nuns, both Italian and foreign.It was hard to hear the exchange because loud applause had already erupted from inside upon spotting the white cassock.

All the nuns, with the older members of the community in the front row, many in wheelchairs, were lined up in the pews ready to greet the Pope.Greetings and Gifts Francis made a double round to shake hands with everyone, then received a white balloon – like those hanging outside the entrance of the house – from a child, to whom he then gave his blessing, along with a sweet.