Migration has been a constant feature of human history. Throughout the centuries, people have moved in search of safety, fleeing persecution, violence and conflict. Long before the emergence of modern states and international treaties, offering refuge to those at risk was widely recognised as a fundamental duty. The 1951 Geneva Convention and subsequent international frameworks transformed this ancient principle into a binding legal obligation, establishing the primary responsibility of states to protect those seeking asylum.

Seventy-five years after the adoption of the 1951 Geneva Convention, we trace the roots of the right of asylum as a sacred duty while also looking ahead to strengthening the current systems that uphold the protection of refugees.

The origins of the right of asylum

The concept of asylum has evolved significantly over time. Its roots lie in sacred and moral traditions that long predate modern legal systems. The institution of asylum has existed for more than 4.000 years, emerging in the Ancient Near East, where temples were regarded as inviolable places of protection. Those who reached such sacred sites were safe from persecution, and their forcible removal was considered an act of sacrilege.

These sanctuaries reflected a deeply held moral and spiritual commitment to protecting the vulnerable and safeguarding human dignity.

The right of asylum in the religious traditions

In the Christian tradition, the cities of refuge in ancient Israel and early Church practices of sanctuary offered protection to those fleeing danger and persecution, reflecting the conviction that human vulnerability demands recognition, compassion and care. In the New Testament, this call to welcoming the stranger is embodied in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, where mercy is expressed through concrete acts of assistance towards a person in need. This principle was later taken up by Catholic Social Teaching as an affirmation of the intrinsic dignity of every human being.

During his recent visit to Lampedusa, Pope Leo XIV recalled the Good Samaritan as a lens through which to read the challenges of our time. “There is no love of God, without love of neighbour, and there is no neighbour, if I do not draw near.” His message highlighted the need for responses grounded in human dignity, shared responsibility, and policies of welcome, protection, promotion, and integration.

The Church’s closeness to people on the move and to asylum seekers represents a tangible expression of the Gospel. This commitment finds practical expression through missionary congregations and local churches serving migrants and refugees across the world. One example is the Jesuit Church of St Joseph in Beirut, Lebanon, which opened its doors to migrants and displaced people seeking shelter following the escalation of violence in the Middle East, forcing millions to flee their homes.

Similarly, within Islam, asylum is recognised as a right of anyone seeking protection, emphasising the honour and dignity of mankind that is bestowed upon them from God. The Qur’an repeatedly emphasises the duty of believers to assist those in distress, including refugees and migrants.

Jewish tradition likewise places great importance on welcoming and protecting the stranger. The Old Testament and the Talmud emphasise the responsibility to assist refugees and foreigners, enabling them to rebuild their lives in dignity and security.

Despite their differences, these traditions converge on a shared principle: the recognition of the inherent dignity of every person and the moral responsibility of communities to welcome and protect those seeking refuge.

Faith in Action: Pastoral Approaches to the Protection of Migrants and Refugees

Today, faith-based actors continue to play a vital role in protecting and accompanying migrants, refugees and victims of human trafficking. Across different religious traditions, pastoral care has evolved into a practical and often life-saving form of protection, responding to the immediate needs of those forced to flee. Organisations such as Caritas, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), the Scalabrinian Missionaries, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Islamic Relief, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), and many others provide humanitarian assistance, legal support, advocacy and community-based services while fostering social cohesion between host communities and displaced populations.

The right of asylum as a moral duty and a legal obligation

Safeguarding the right to asylum means recognising its dual nature as both a moral imperative and a legal obligation. It requires sustained advocacy to ensure that governments do not abandon, dismantle or weaken the international protection framework, but strenghten their committment, action, and solidarity to uphold protection and expand solutions.

*Full article to be published in “Migration, a Pilgrimage of Hope: Proceedings of the Conference on Migration and Theological Studies”, October 22–23, 2026 (forthcoming).