Pope urges Europe to do more for refugees during a visit to the island of entry

Pope Leo XIV on a visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa called on European leaders to take on the “magnificent challenge” of curbing migration.

At a time when Europe hosts tens of thousands of refugees every year on the island, the Pope urged the new arrivals to better integrate and improve the situation in their countries.

“The people who lost their lives in this sea are victims of decisions and decisions,” said the Pope.

Since becoming head of the Catholic Church in May 2025, the US pope has repeatedly called for more support for immigrants and criticized the US government’s anti-immigration policies.

He began his journey by visiting a cemetery in Lampedusa, where he prayed at the graves of migrants who died on the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea from Africa to Europe.

The Pope also stopped at the “Gate of Europe” memorial to those who died trying to cross and spoke to the families of migrants.

He told Catholics on the island that “the phenomenon of migration from this distant corner of Europe in the Mediterranean Sea clearly recognizes the great challenge facing European societies.”

“Europe can address the problem in this area in a comprehensive way, combining immediate aid efforts with a long-term strategic plan to receive, protect, support and integrate refugees, while helping developing countries so that no one migrates,” he said.

The island of Lampedusa – located 90 miles (145 km) off the coast of Tunisia – is home to a refugee reception center crammed with dire living conditions.

People making the journey often travel on poorly maintained and overcrowded ships, making the crossing even more dangerous for those on board.

More than 1,400 people have died or gone missing trying to cross the Mediterranean this year, including 28 children, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration.