Pope Leo urged European leaders to do more to protect and integrate migrants.
His comments came during a day-long visit to Lampedusa, Italy, which is the gateway for migrants risking the dangerous Mediterranean crossing from Africa to Europe.
“Europe is capable of addressing the crisis in the region in a comprehensive way, integrating immediate relief efforts into long-term strategic planning, receiving, protecting, supporting and integrating migrants,” the head of the Catholic Church told the crowd of believers.
He said it should do this while also helping developing countries so that no one is forced to migrate.
Lampedusa is a main port of entry into Europe for thousands of migrants
Pope Leo prayed at a migrant cemetery, met migrants at the port and celebrated mass on the island.
“From this remote corner of Europe on the Mediterranean Sea, one can more clearly understand the significant challenge that the migration phenomenon poses to European society,” Leo told attendees.
According to the UN refugee agency, more than 14,000 people arrived in Italy during the first half of the year, the majority from Libya. About 60% of them reached Lampedusa.
Leo thanked the fishing and tourism community of 6,000 people “for the solidarity shown by many of you.”
Pope urges America to welcome immigrants
Separately, the Pope marked the 250th anniversary of American independence with an appeal to Americans to welcome and protect immigrants.
In a letter sent to his home country he said the Catholic value of protecting life includes “welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants”.
He wrote, “Welcoming (immigrants) with compassion and generosity is not only an act of charity, but also a recognition of the dignity of every human person.”
The day before, he had talked about how “consecutive waves of immigrants” played a role in the creation of the United States. In a video address to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, he said the word “America” is a “symbol of freedom” globally because of the way the country has accepted immigrants.
Edited by: Sam Dusan Inayatullah
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