# Pope visits Paris migrant center, urges sharing gifts

> Pope Leo XIV tells migrants and refugees that everyone has something to give, no matter how poor.
- Title: Pope visits Paris migrant center, urges sharing gifts
- Summary: Pope Leo XIV tells migrants and refugees that everyone has something to give, no matter how poor. The Pope frames charity not as the rich helping the poor…
- Keywords: pope leo xiv, maison bakhita, paris, migrants, refugees, apostolic journey, france, charity, social integration, st josephine bakhita, religion, world
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-09/pope-leo-xiv-visit-maison-bakhita-social-integration-centre.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-09-26T07:30:04.833+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pope leo xiv, maison bakhita, paris, migrants, refugees, apostolic journey, france, charity, social integration, st josephine bakhita, religion, world
## Pope visits Paris migrant center
On the second day of his trip to France, Pope Leo XIV visited Maison Bakhita in Paris, a center offering support and social integration services to migrants and refugees.
## Center named after former slave saint
The facility is named after St. Josephine Bakhita, a former slave who became a religious sister in Italy and represents the fundamental role of women in building communities of love.
## Real change comes from those who make room
The Pope said history is written not by those who dominate but by those who make room, initiate peace, build trust, and encourage life.

> the history of the Church and of humanity is not written by those who give the impression of winning by imposing themselves
## The poor are the flesh of Christ
The Pope said the poor are not a sociological category for Christians but the very flesh of Christ, calling us to practice charity and love them with recognition of their immeasurable dignity.

> the poor are not a sociological category for Christians but "the very flesh of Christ"
## No one too poor to give
The Pope said no one is so poor as to have nothing to give and no one so rich as to have nothing to receive. Life in abundance comes when each person's limitations open to others.

> No one is so poor as to have nothing to give; no one is so rich as to have nothing to receive
## All members need each other
Citing St. Paul, the Pope said every member of the Christian body needs every other member, and God arranged things so the weaker members receive greater honor to prevent division.
## Key takeaway

The Pope frames charity not as the rich helping the poor, but as mutual exchange where every person has dignity and gifts to share.