Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace above St. Peter's Square, the Pope said he wished to "give a voice" to those migrants who face enormous suffering as they make their journey in search of a better life.
Francis reminded some 40,000 people who gathered at the Vatican that he had chosen migrants and refugees as the theme for the Roman Catholic Church's World Day of Peace.
Across the world, mass movement of people has shot to the top of the political agenda, and Francis has made defending those who migrate a central theme of his papacy.
During a trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh last year, he met Muslim refugees and urged decisive measures to solve the political problems that caused many to flee and he has also criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's stated intention to build a wall on the border with Mexico to keep illegal immigrants out of the United States.
