The cardinal, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and former archbishop of Quebec City, delivered a strong message July 26 in his native French language when he addressed the issue of refugees at the Basilica of Ste.-Anne-de-Beaupre.

"Let us carry in prayer these migrants and refugees to whom we do not remain indifferent despite the temptation to ignore or repress them so as not to be disturbed in our peace or comfort," he said.

Cardinal Ouellet said the needs of people on the move is dear to Pope Francis. He recalled the Pope's 2013 visit to Lampedusa, Italy, to greet migrants, and how the pontiff called for the world to help "Africans who sink in the Mediterranean, abandoned on makeshift boats by merciless traffickers."

The cardinal also mentioned the Pope's trip to Bangladesh in December 2017, where he met with members of the Rohingya refugees form neighboring Myanmar, and his concerns about migrants trying to enter the United States at the Mexican border.

"The Holy Father continues to draw attention to these populations drifting from one continent to another, and from one country to another, who are exposed to all sorts of dangers and abuses," Cardinal Ouellet said.

He presented Jesus as the answer to today's challenges.

"The child God who has fallen into our hands transcends all boundaries of race, color, culture, and religion," he said. "Jesus Christ brings to humanity the good news of the hope of salvation."

The prefect again addressed the needs of migrants and refugees and their importance to Pope Francis during a brief meeting with reporters outside the basilica immediately after Mass.

"It is very important to him. He insists constantly," Cardinal Ouellet said. "And I, as a close collaborator, reiterate this invitation to the people of Canada so that there may be an attitude of openness, hospitality, relief and integration for people who come to us from abroad in great difficulty."

The Mass also marked the 50th anniversary of Cardinal Ouellet's ordination to the priesthood. Cardinal Gerald Lacroix of Quebec invited Cardinal Ouellet to the basilica for the celebration.

The visit was the first by Cardinal Ouellet at an event in the Archdiocese of Quebec since Cardinal Lacroix's March 2011 appointment.

In his homily, Cardinal Ouellet said he was "particularly happy" to be in Ste.-Anne-de-Beaupre, noting that he had celebrated a farewell Mass in the basilica in 2010, before accepting the call of Pope Benedict XVI to work at the Vatican.