Pope’s Visit to Lampedusa Highlights European Responsibility for Migrant Crisis

During a stop on the Italian island of Lampedusa, a principal entry point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa, Pope Leo XIII met with recent arrivals, Italian coast‑guard officials, and humanitarian NGOs. He pledged the Vatican’s solidarity with those seeking safety and called on European leaders to devise a long‑term, comprehensive response that combines welcome, security, assistance, and integration.

The pontiff also urged improvements in the living conditions of migrants’ home countries so that people would not be forced to abandon their homes. His remarks echoed previous Vatican appeals for a humane and collaborative European migration policy.