Pope Leo XIV on Saturday visited the Italian island of Lampedusa, a key arrival point for migrants attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing from North Africa, in a symbolic gesture underscoring the Catholic Church’s support for migrants and refugees.
The visit comes amid growing international debate over migration policies, following the European Union’s recent approval of stricter migration rules that expand detention powers and allow for the establishment of deportation centres outside the bloc.
It also coincides with the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebrations, as Pope Leo, the first American-born pontiff, has repeatedly criticised harsh immigration policies and advocated greater protection for migrants.
Migration has emerged as a central focus of Leo’s papacy, continuing the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis. He has consistently praised humanitarian efforts to assist displaced people while calling for more humane migration policies and opposing mass deportations.
During the half-day visit, the 70-year-old pontiff is expected to renew calls for safe and legal pathways for migration while urging greater international solidarity in addressing the global migration crisis.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Filippo Ungaro, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said the pope’s presence in Lampedusa sends a strong message at a time when migration debates are increasingly centred on border security and deterrence rather than protection and shared responsibility.
Located about 145 kilometres off the coast of Tunisia, Lampedusa has become one of Europe’s main gateways for migrants crossing the Mediterranean. The island has also witnessed numerous maritime tragedies, including a 2013 shipwreck that claimed more than 360 lives.
Pope Leo began his visit at the island’s cemetery, where many unidentified migrants are buried in numbered graves. He also visited the “Door of Europe” monument dedicated to migrants, met briefly with a migrant family and later proceeded to the harbour where migrants rescued at sea are brought ashore.
At the pier, he blessed a memorial plaque dedicated to Pope Francis, who made Lampedusa the destination of his first pastoral trip after becoming pope in 2013. Leo later celebrated Mass at a nearby sports field.
The visit marks the second major migration hotspot visited by Pope Leo since his election, following his recent trip to Spain’s Canary Islands, where he condemned human trafficking networks and reiterated his appeal for more compassionate migration policies.
In a speech delivered on Friday to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary, the pontiff called for moderation in public discourse and reflected on the role successive waves of immigrants have played in shaping American society.
