On 27 September 2017 Pope Francis launched Caritas’ Share the Journey Campaign during the Wednesday General Audience in St Peter’s Square.

Share the Journey has at its heart the vision of a united global human family. The focus is on our joint journey as people on the move in departure, transit and host communities. We want to contribute to the building of stronger communities and more inclusive societies. The campaign promotes “the culture of encounter”. The aim is to increase the spaces and opportunities for migrants and communities to come together and learn about each other. Share the Journey starts on 27 September 2017 and runs until September 2019.

Pope Francis has made numerous appeals to promote the culture of encounter in an effort to combat the culture of indifference in the world today. It means seeing through the eyes of others rather than turning a blind eye. “Not just to see but to look. Not just to hear but to listen. Not just to meet and pass by, but to stop. And don’t just say ‘what a shame, poor people,’ but allow ourselves to be moved by pity.” – Pope Francis. Caritas Internationalis’ ’Share the Journey Campaign’ will encourage people to rethink their preconceptions, by bringing migrants, refugees and communities closer together to change hearts and minds.

Pope Francis is lighting up the path for us, illuminating our journey to creating his ‘culture of encounter,’ a culture of welcome. In response to Pope Francis’ call to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate migrants and refugees, we are asking you to support the global Caritas ‘Share the Journey Campaign’.

In the lead up to the launch, Cardinal Luis Tagle, President of Caritas Internationalis, released a video with the goals of the Campaign. Cardinal Tagle encourages us to look at those people around us, in our families and communities, who are migrants. Those who are often right in front of us but fail to see. Throughout the Campaign, let us talk to these people. Let us listen to their stories, and let us journey with them.

Fr Maurizio Pettenà CS
National  Director
Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office