On the morning of July 4, Pope Leo XIV reached the small island of Lampedusa, on the extreme southern border of Italy, and the place where most illegal immigrants are literally dumped by human traffickers. As usual Pope Leo has addressed both sides of the migration problem: the need to treat immigrants humanely, and at the same time to solve the causes of immigration, through development.
In his homily, published by the Holy See, Pope Leo said among other things: “From this extreme edge of Europe in the Mediterranean Sea, one can better see the epochal call that the migration phenomenon addresses to European societies. In this aspect too—as with those of the ecological transition and the promotion of peace—Europe possesses a unique potential, derived from its history and culture, and therefore an equal responsibility. Due to its geographical position and institutional framework, Europe is capable—in this area—of tackling the crisis in an organic way, integrating emergency first aid into a long-term strategic plan capable of welcoming, protecting, promoting, and integrating migrants while, at the same time, working towards development so that no one is forced to emigrate. All of this must be done while ensuring that the dignity of every person is respected. This is a task for public institutions, but also for civil society as a whole and for the Church.”
