Number of Refugees, Displaced People at Highest Since World War II Tom Tracy - Catholic News Service
go to original December 23, 2015

Media and Refugees: What Is Covered, Who Is Forgotten (teleSUR)

The explosive global refugee crisis - likely the top debate-generating news story of 2015 - seems destined to dominate domestic and foreign politics for years to come at a time when Pope Francis has been calling for a compassionate world response.

Early in 2015, Pope Francis again called attention to the plight of mostly Libyan refugees who perish en route to Europe during the Mediterranean Sea crossing to the southern Italian coastal island of Lampedusa. The pope has concluded the year by confirming his intention to visit the Mexico-U.S. border during an anticipated papal visit to Mexico set for February, an action that will likely been seen as provocative by some U.S. lawmakers.

Waves of refugees have been fleeing war-torn Syria for new opportunities in the West. By year's end a new surge of Central Americans - mainly unaccompanied minors - crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and entering the United States has added to tensions over accepting newcomers into this country.

And deadly terrorist-related shootings this fall in Paris and in San Bernardino, California, have now further strained refugee response initiatives as top politicians such as U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are facing heavy criticism and even open resistance to the resettlement of North African and Middle Eastern refugees.

Pope Francis' U.S. visit in September and his newly inaugurated Year of Mercy for the church worldwide are seen as further teaching moments from the pontiff on the need for mercy and compassion for migrants and refugees.

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