Pope Leo XIV, who has clashed with the Trump administration over its immigration crackdown, marked the Fourth of July by honoring migrants who died trying to reach Europe. He traveled to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, the main port of entry for hundreds of thousands of migrants crossing from Africa.
Pope's visit to Lampedusa
As the United States celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the first U.S.-born pope prayed at a migrant cemetery and celebrated Mass for residents and new arrivals. Lampedusa, a treeless strip of rock 5.6 miles long, is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland.
Leo met migrants at the port and walked alone onto jagged jetty rocks, where wind blew his zucchetto off as he looked out to sea. He blessed a plaque dedicating the dock to Pope Francis, who visited in 2013.
'Gestures speak louder than words'
'This is a place where gestures speak louder than words,' Leo said. 'But for gestures to be human, they need a heart.' He sent a message to the US and Europe about the Christian obligation to uphold dignity for all, especially migrants.
In a letter to Americans, Leo insisted that protecting unborn life also means 'welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants, whose hopes, sacrifices and contributions have formed part of the history of this country from its very beginning.' He added, 'To receive them with compassion and generosity is not only an act of charity, but also a recognition of the dignity that belongs to every human person.'
Migration crisis and statistics
Italy's Interior Ministry reported 14,464 migrant arrivals as of Friday, down from 30,598 in the same period last year and 26,202 in 2024. The International Organisation of Migration has recorded over 35,000 missing migrants in the Mediterranean since 2014, though the actual death toll is believed higher.
In his homily, Leo thanked Lampedusa residents for the 'miracle of compassion' and urged Europe to address migration comprehensively. He suggested integrating immediate relief with long-term strategies to receive, protect, and integrate migrants while developing home countries so no one is forced to migrate.
