February 5, 2026
On January 21, 2026, during his weekly general audience in Rome, Pope Leo XIV received a copy of the Migration Bible, a special edition of Scripture created with and for migrants. The Bible was presented by Rev. Rhoïnde Doth, President of SKIN, the association of migrant churches in the Netherlands, on behalf of the Bible Society of the Netherlands and Flanders, which published the special edition Bible.
“This Bible is a source of support for migrants,” Rev. Doth said at the presentation. “It is encouraging to see it recognised at a global level.” The Migration Bible is published in English, a language widely used among migrant communities. In the Gulf States alone, some 4,000 copies have already been distributed to migrant workers.
According to reader feedback, the Migration Bible is especially appreciated for its portraits of migrants and its guided reading plans. These elements help readers connect their own experiences of movement, loss, and hope with the biblical story. Pope Leo XIV himself knows the reality of migration first-hand, having lived and served in several countries.
An Edition for Roman Catholic Readers
The copy presented to the Pope includes the Deuterocanonical books. These were not part of the first edition of the Migration Bible, published in 2023. This expanded edition is intended especially for Roman Catholic migrant workers, including those living and working in the Middle East.
A Bible to Discover, Connect, and Encourage
Migration is one of the defining realities of our time. The Migration Bible seeks to respond to this reality by helping readers discover, connect, and find encouragement through Scripture.
- Discover: Readers encounter migration as a recurring biblical theme, seen in stories such as those of Abraham, Ruth, and Naomi.
- Connect: The Bible highlights texts like 1 Peter 2:11, reminding Christians that all believers are, in a sense, “strangers and refugees.”
- Encourage: Through additional content such as contemporary migrant portraits, themed articles, and reading plans, the Migration Bible offers hope and affirmation.
The Migration Bible uses the Good News Translation and includes dozens of articles written by migrant theologians and practitioners from around the world, including John Jusu, Samuel Lee, Ruth Padilla, and Carolina Pineda. The project was initiated by Samuel Lee, a former theologian.
Designed for migrants, pastors, caregivers, and all who work alongside migrant communities, the Migration Bible is a powerful tool for accompaniment, understanding, and faith across borders and cultures.
