These days there's a great deal of conversation and debate (more than a little of it unpleasant) about immigration, refugees, who may come here, who may not.
Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan met a number of times here in the United States and in Rome. I came across two statements, one from each leader that we might add to that conversation.
"I've spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don't know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind, it was a tall proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind swept, God blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace - a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity, and if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors, and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here." Ronald Reagan ~ Farewell Address to the People of the United States, January 2, 1989.
"Solidarity means taking responsibility for those in trouble. For Christians, the migrant is not merely an individual to be respected in accordance with the norms established by law, but a person whose presence challenges them and whose needs become an obligation for their responsibility. "What have you done to your brother?" (Cf. Genesis 4:9). The answer should not be limited to what is imposed by law, but should be made in the manner of solidarity." Pope John Paul II ~ The Church and Illegal Immigration ~ World Migration Day ~ July 25, 1995
