Pope Francis urged Roman Catholics not to ignore the plight of millions of migrants "driven from their land", during his Christmas Eve Mass.
The pontiff compared their journey to that of Mary and Joseph’s, recounting the Biblical story of how they travelled to Bethlehem but found no place to stay.
Many migrants were being forced to flee from leaders who "see no problem in shedding innocent blood”, he said.
Noting that Mary and Joseph arrived in a land "where there was no place for them", the pontiff drew parallels to contemporary time.
"So many other footsteps are hidden in the footsteps of Joseph and Mary," he said in his homily. "We see the tracks of entire families forced to set out in our own day. We see the tracks of millions of persons who do not choose to go away but, driven from their land, leave behind their dear ones."
"In many cases this departure is filled with hope, hope for the future; yet for many this departure can only have one name: survival," the pope said.
Francis is expected to deliver a Christmas Day message from the central loggia of the basilica overlooking St Peter's Square at midday on Monday.
The speech often is a review of the world events and conflicts.
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