Archbishop Broglio’s Statement on Death of Pope Francis:

Upon the news from the Holy See announcing the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued the following statement in remembrance. Read the USCCB’s press release.

A webpage commemorating the life and legacy of Pope Francis is also available on the USCCB website, and an overview of Pope Francis' support for migrants is available on the JFI website. Additional statements by JFI core members are linked below.

NEW ACTION ALERT – Encourage Congress to Support Religious Workers and the Communities They Serve:

An increasing number of priests, religious sisters and brothers, and others serving the Church throughout the United States will be forced to abandon their ministries if policymakers do not act soon. Unfortunately, many parishes, schools, and other Catholic institutions have already had to part with men and women who served them for years because of challenges with the Religious Worker Visa Program. Click here to send or share the action alert here.

ICYMI – USCCB Resource on Immigration Registration

The Trump Administration has pledged to fully enforce provisions of immigration law requiring noncitizens present in the United States for 30 days or longer to register with the federal government. A resource about this requirement is available from the USCCB in both English and Spanish.

Cardinal Tobin, Bishop Seitz, and Bishop Tobin read Pope Francis’ letter to the bishops of the US from February 2025. Here are excerpts from this beautiful letter:

"The journey from slavery to freedom that the People of Israel traveled, as narrated in the Book of Exodus, invites us to look at the reality of our time, so clearly marked by the phenomenon of migration, as a decisive moment in history to reaffirm not only our faith in a God who is always close, incarnate, migrant and refugee, but also the infinite and transcendent dignity of every human person...

What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly...

I exhort all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters. With charity and clarity we are all called to live in solidarity and fraternity, to build bridges that bring us ever closer together, to avoid walls of ignominy and to learn to give our lives as Jesus Christ gave his for the salvation of all." 

Read the full text, and watch the video below:

Here are statements released by JFI core members on the passing of Pope Francis:

• Catholic Charities USA
• Catholic Health Association
• Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC)
• Catholic Relief Services
• Columban Center of Advocacy & Outreach
• Conference of Major Superiors of Men
• Association of U.S. Catholic Priests
• Glenmary Home Missioners
• Ignatian Solidarity Network
• Jesuit Conferences
• Leadership Conference of Women Religious
• Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
• Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
• Pax Christi USA

Missionaries of Hope

In honor of this year's theme for the World Day of Migrants & Refugees, we will share hopeful articles and videos in each newsletter:

• Pope Francis' Easter Address: “What a great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of our world! How much violence we see, often even within families, directed at women and children! How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants! On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God!” Watch the whole address here.
• This Ordeal is the Passion, Catholic Standard: Bishop Evelio Menjivar writes about the suffering of immigrants and refugees under aggressive government policies and urges action against injustice with faith.
• Ministering to women survivors of sexual exploitation, America Magazine: Franciscan Peacemakers in Milwaukee supports women survivors of sexual exploitation, offering recovery, work experience, and hope through community.
• Miami's Haitian community gathers in prayer as crises escalate in homeland and US, AP News: Amid escalating violence and immigration uncertainty, Miami’s Haitian community gathers at Notre Dame d’Haiti church for prayer and solidarity.
• USCCB Backs Bill to Protect Foreign-Born Religious Workers, EWTN: EWTN interviews David Spicer about the Religious Workforce Protection Act. Watch the interview below:

Welcomer of the week:

Heidi, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner and immigration attorney, shares her experiences living and working with migrants in El Paso, TX:

The importance of her faith community:

Fearmongering in border communities:

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