Pope urges Europe to increase migrant support during Lampedusa visit

Key facts

• Pope Leo XIV visited Lampedusa, a symbol of the European migrant crisis.
• He urged European leaders to increase support for migrants and address root causes of emigration.
• The Pope prayed at the graves of migrants who died attempting the Mediterranean crossing.
• He criticized indifference, corruption, and policies that lead to migrant deaths.
• The Pope called for a long-term strategic plan to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate migrants.

Pope Leo XIV visited the Italian island of Lampedusa, a focal point for the European migrant crisis, to urge greater support and a more humane response from European nations. His visit coincided with the 250th anniversary of the United States, drawing a parallel to the ongoing challenges faced by migrants.

Upon arrival, the Pope paid respects at the Cemetery of the Nameless, where migrants who perished at sea are buried, and visited the Porta d’Europa sculpture. He met with a migrant family and received a symbolic gift from a child migrant, emphasizing the human element of the crisis. A quay on the island was renamed Molo Francesco in honor of Pope Francis, who had previously visited Lampedusa early in his pontificate.

During a Mass attended by thousands, Pope Leo XIV implored Europe to confront the historic challenge of migration with courage and responsibility. He called for a strategic plan that not only welcomes, protects, promotes, and integrates migrants but also addresses the root causes of emigration, such as poverty and corruption in countries of origin. The Pope criticized indifference and the criminal exploitation of human suffering, stating that deaths at sea are a consequence of both decisions made and decisions not taken.

He encouraged the islanders and holidaymakers to engage with charity and empathy, transforming encounters with migrants into opportunities for personal growth. The Pope concluded by invoking faith and hope, using the local Lampedusan greeting 'O'scià,' meaning 'my breath,' to underscore the vital need for compassion.