Pope Francis Urges Prayers for Education Rights

Vatican, January 3, 2025: Pope Francis has dedicated his January prayer intention to advocating for "the right to an education," urging the Catholic Church worldwide to unite in prayer for this cause. In his monthly The Pope Video, the Holy Father emphasized the severity of the global education crisis, describing it as "an educational catastrophe," with approximately 250 million children and youth deprived of schooling due to wars, migration, and poverty.

Pope Francis reminded the faithful of the Gospel's call to welcome strangers, stating, "Whoever welcomes the foreigner, welcomes Jesus Christ." He urged prayers for those affected by war and displacement, advocating for their right to education regardless of immigration status as a cornerstone for building a more humane world.

He highlighted education as a powerful tool to combat discrimination, criminal networks, and exploitation, particularly for migrants and refugees. "Education can save lives," he noted, stressing its role in fostering integration and paving the way for a brighter future.

The Pope Video initiative, launched by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network in 2016, disseminates the Pontiff's monthly prayer intentions globally. The project has garnered over 203 million views across 23 languages and is distributed by Vatican Media, with support from La Machi Communication for Good Causes. It seeks to mobilize Catholics to respond through prayer and action to pressing global challenges in alignment with the Church's mission.

This month’s message reiterates the Church’s commitment to addressing educational inequality and its devastating impact on children worldwide, inviting the faithful to reflect and act upon this urgent call.

Courtesy: Vatican News