Pope Leo calls on Europe and US to protect and integrate migrants during Lampedusa visit

The Vatican’s head, Pope Francis, made a symbolic visit to Lampedusa, the Italian island that sits on the front line of Europe’s migration routes, urging citizens across Europe and the United States to extend a warm welcome and practical assistance to migrants arriving on the continent’s shores. Arriving on the island on Thursday, the pontiff met with local officials, humanitarian workers and a group of migrants, emphasizing that the crisis demands a response rooted in compassion and solidarity rather than exclusion.

In remarks broadcast from the island’s harbor, Francis highlighted the human dignity of each individual seeking refuge, calling on governments and civil societies to provide shelter, legal pathways and integration support. He referenced the ongoing influx of people fleeing conflict and poverty, noting that Europe has received more than 150,000 arrivals in the past year alone, while the United States has seen a rise in arrivals at its southern border. The pope’s appeal aligns with recent Vatican calls for comprehensive migration policies and follows his earlier visits to refugee camps in Greece and Malta. He concluded by urging political leaders to enact measures that protect migrants’ rights and facilitate their safe, orderly settlement, underscoring the moral responsibility shared by the international community.