Pope Leo urged European leaders to do more to protect and integrate migrants.
His remarks came during a day trip to Lampedusa, Italy, a gateway for migrants risking dangerous Mediterranean crossings into Europe from Africa.
“Europe is capable of addressing the crisis, in this region, in a comprehensive manner, integrating immediate relief efforts into a long-term strategic plan capable of receiving, protecting, supporting and integrating migrants,” the head of the Catholic Church told a crowd of faithful.
He added that it should do so while also assisting developing countries so that no one would be forced to emigrate.
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 far-flung corner of Europe on the Mediterranean Sea, one can more clearly perceive the momentous challenge that the phenomenon of migration poses to European societies,” Leo told those gathered.
More than 14,000 people landed in Italy during the first half of the year, most of whom set off from Libya, according to the UN refugee agency. Nearly 60% of them arrived in Lampedusa.
Leo thanked the fishing and tourism community of 6,000 “for the solidarity that so many of you have shown.”
Pope urges US to welcome immigrants
Separately, the pontiff marked the 250th anniversary of US 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 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 wrote.
It comes a day after he described how “successive waves of immigrants” played a role in building the United States. In a video address to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, he said the word “America” is a “byword for freedom” globally due to the way the country has taken in immigrants.
Edited by: Saim Dušan Inayatullah
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