Archbishop Perego calls for school-based protection of migrant minors

Archbishop Gian Carlo Perego of Ferrara-Comacchio has called on institutions and schools to serve as a primary line of defense for migrant minors. Speaking on the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Perego emphasized the need for immediate legal guardians upon arrival, family-based support paths, and schools equipped with the professional staff necessary to address complex needs.

Drawing on a message from Pope Leo XIV, Perego highlighted the extreme vulnerability of children in migration flows, who often face human trafficking, exploitation, and violence. Global statistics indicate that by 2026, there are an estimated 45-46 million refugee or displaced children worldwide, up from 33 million a decade ago.

In Italy, the number of minors including both foreign-born children and children of foreign parents exceeds 1.1 million. Specifically, there are approximately 17,000 unaccompanied foreign minors, with 3,000 having arrived in the first half of 2026 alone.