At his June 13 Angelus address, Pope Francis highlighted several causes for which he asked the faithful to lend their prayers and support. After presenting reflections on the Gospels, he made special note of the famine in Tigray, the World Day Against Child Labor, the tragedies on the Mediterranean, and World Blood Donor Day.
The Tigray region, in Northern Ethiopia, has been struggling with food supplies since November, 2020. According to The Indian Express, the shortages stem from an influx of refugees, displaced by fighting in neighboring countries. This week, reports of widespread famine have emerged, as food stocks have dwindled to crisis levels.
Pope Francis called attention to the suffering that has most affected the most vulnerable groups of Tigray. The pope then led those present in prayer. He said:
On June 12, countries around the globe observed the World Day Against Child Labor. Established in 2002, the international commemoration aims to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labor. According to the International Labor Organization, the world pandemic is expected to exacerbate dangerous child labor practices.
In response to the dangers that children, especially those in poor countries, are facing, Pope Francis said:
Pope Francis next turned his attention to an influx of migrants arriving in Sicily, as well as those who were tragically lost at sea. A report from Africa News cites some 15,000 migrants and refugees arriving since June 10. In that same time, at least 675 people have died or gone missing while attempting to make passage. This is just a small portion of those who have died in shipwrecks in the last decade.
Pope Francis remembered those who have died in transit, both recently and in the last few years. He said:
Before stepping away from the podium, Pope Francis promoted the World Blood Donor Day, on June 14. The pope thanked all those who took part and encouraged all the faithful to consider donating. He said:
