Lampedusa, Italy. Pope Leo marked the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence on Saturday by urging Americans to welcome and protect immigrants in a letter sent to the United States while he visited Italy’s migrant frontline island of Lampedusa. He also called on the world to become “more human” and assist those fleeing war and poverty.
Appeal to the United States
In a separate message sent for the U.S. anniversary, Leo said the Catholic value of defending life includes “welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”
“To receive (immigrants) with compassion and generosity is not only an act of charity, but also a recognition of the dignity that belongs to every human person,” he told the United States.
Leo drew the ire of Donald Trump last year after calling the U.S. president’s hardline anti-immigration policies “inhuman.”
Visit to Lampedusa
During a day trip to Lampedusa, a gateway for migrants risking dangerous Mediterranean crossings into Europe from Africa, the pope urged European leaders to do more to assist arrivals, which have topped 7,000 this year.
Lampedusa, which lies between Tunisia, Malta and Sicily, sits on one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. Many migrants arrive after crossing the Mediterranean in overcrowded boats and makeshift vessels.
Echo of a previous papal visit
The visit echoed that of Pope Francis, who made Lampedusa the destination of his first trip outside Rome after becoming pope in 2013.
Among those gathered near Italy’s southernmost port to see the pope were newly arrived migrants, Italian Coast Guard search-and-rescue officials and aid groups.
Leo told them he had come to show that the pope “continues to accompany you, support you and encourage you”.
