Director-General's remarks at the screening of the film "Cabrini"

Screening of the film Cabrini

Friday, 17 January 2025 at 12.00 p.m.
Room XIX, Palais des Nations

Excellencies, 
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends, 

It is a pleasure to welcome you all to this special screening of the film Cabrini. I wish to thank the Permanent Mission of Italy and the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See for jointly organizing today’s event and bringing us all together to celebrate the incredible life and achievements of Mother Francesca Cabrini.

In the late 19^th century and early 20^th century, Mother Cabrini dedicated herself to helping Italian migrants in the United States. She recognized the needs of the most vulnerable in society and was committed to supporting them with education, food and healthcare. 

Those needs are very much still present in 2025. Refugees and migrants are among the most vulnerable members of society. They often face xenophobia and discrimination; poor living, housing, and working conditions; and inadequate access to health services. 

Moreover, due to challenges such as armed conflicts, economic and social inequalities, and the effects of climate change, we are seeing an increasing number of refugees and migrants worldwide. Their plight today is alarming.

Around the world, migrants and refugees require assistance and resources. They need a place to call home. And they deserve to be treated with dignity. This was a key point that Mother Cabrini understood intrinsically.

Her legacy continues over a century later. She dedicated her life to helping others and was a leader whose strength and commitment did not waver in the face of obstacles and challenges. 

I would also like to draw attention to how much Mother Cabrini achieved as a woman in a very male-dominated society. 

She showed incredible determination and resilience. She is an example of just how much women can achieve in the face of obstacles and challenges. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Palais des Nations often hosts various cultural activities, including exhibitions, concerts and movie screenings. Thanks to these activities, we have an opportunity to learn about countries and cultures, not only at official meetings, but by really taking the time to understand and appreciate each other, and to learn from our collective history in more informal settings. 

As you enjoy the film today and learn more about the life of Mother Cabrini, I invite you to also take this opportunity to reflect. Let us consider how we, too, can do more to support people in need in our communities and around the world, and how we, too, can treat everyone with dignity and respect. I hope that everyone here will leave this event inspired to make a difference.

Thank you.