Pope Leo urges migrant protection, integration on visit to Lampedusa

Pontiff calls on people in Europe and the US to welcome and assist migrants during symbolic trip to Italy’s frontier island.Pope Leo XIV has urged Europe to do more to protect and integrate migrants during a visit to Italy’s Lampedusa island, a key arrival point for people crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.The pope made the appeal on Saturday during a symbolic trip to the island, which has long been at the centre of Europe’s migration debate.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3‘Dignity has no passport’: Pope makes appeal for migrants in Canary Islandslist 2 of 3Pope Leo tells migrants: ‘I bow before your dignity’list 3 of 3Pope warns people smugglers they face God’s wrathend of listSpeaking during Mass, the pope described migration as a “momentous challenge” for European societies, but said the continent had the capacity to respond with compassion and planning.“Europe is capable of addressing the crisis in this region in a comprehensive manner,” he said, calling for immediate relief to be matched with a long-term plan to “receive, protect, support and integrate migrants”.He urged European countries to support development in migrants’ countries of origin, saying people should not be forced to leave because of poverty, insecurity or conflict.The pope began his visit by praying at a cemetery where a number of migrants who died at sea are buried. He later visited the “Door of Europe” memorial, dedicated to those who risk their lives trying to reach the continent.Pope Leo XIV walking through the arch of the monument Door of Europe – Porta d’Europa made by the Italian artist Mimmo Paladino, during a one-day visit to Lampedusa island, south of Sicily [Vatican Media/AFP]He also blessed a plaque renaming a migrant arrival pier after his predecessor Pope Francis, who visited Lampedusa in 2013 on his first trip outside Rome after becoming pontiff.