Key facts
- Pope Leo XIV visited the Italian island of Lampedusa to address the migrant crisis.
- He called for Europe to integrate migrants and assist developing countries to reduce forced emigration.
- The Pope prayed at the graves of migrants who died attempting the Mediterranean crossing.
- He criticized anti-immigration policies, including those of the US government.
- Lampedusa's migrant reception center is overcrowded with challenging living conditions.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Italian island of Lampedusa, a key arrival point for migrants, urging European leaders to confront the "momentous challenge" of migration with increased support and integration efforts. During his visit, the pontiff prayed at the graves of migrants who perished crossing the Mediterranean Sea and stood at the "Door of Europe" memorial.
"Those who have lost their lives in this sea are victims both of decisions that were made and of decisions that were not made," the Pope stated during a mass on the island. He called for Europe to develop a comprehensive strategy that includes immediate relief, protection, support, integration, and assistance to developing countries to prevent forced emigration. The Pope has consistently advocated for migrants since becoming head of the Catholic Church in May 2025, often criticizing anti-immigration policies, including those of US President Donald Trump.
Lampedusa, located 90 miles off the coast of Tunisia, hosts a migrant reception center that is frequently overcrowded and faces challenging living conditions. Migrants often undertake perilous journeys in poorly maintained vessels. According to the UN's International Organization for Migration, over 1,400 people, including 28 children, have died or gone missing attempting the Mediterranean crossing this year. A migrant who arrived in Lampedusa in 2015, Kandeh Abdourahman, described the Pope's visit as a reminder that "our stories are seen, that welcome is not just a word but an act of humanity."