The Pope called on the U.S. to welcome and protect migrants — Reuters
On Saturday, July 4, on the occasion of U.S. Independence Day, Pope Leo XIV addressed the American people, calling on them to show mercy and defend the rights of migrants.
The letter was sent to the United States during the pontiff’s apostolic visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa.
The island of Lampedusa has long been a key destination for thousands of people attempting to reach Europe across the Mediterranean Sea.
While visiting the very place that symbolizes the migration crisis, the Pope emphasized the importance of treating those seeking a better life with humanity.
In his address to Americans, Leo XIV emphasized that the fundamental Catholic value of protecting life is inextricably linked to the duty to welcome and assist displaced persons.
According to the pontiff, such actions are not merely a gesture of goodwill, but a necessary recognition of human dignity.
“Welcoming (migrants) with compassion and generosity is not only an act of mercy but also a recognition of the dignity inherent in every human person,” he stated in his message to the United States.
This statement became the central message in the context of the contemporary challenges facing both America and European countries.
The Pope also addressed European leaders, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to resolving the migration issue.
He called for integrating immediate relief efforts into a long-term strategic plan that would provide an effective model for integrating newcomers into society.
In addition to on-the-ground assistance, the pontiff emphasized the critical importance of improving living conditions in migrants’ home countries.
In his view, only by stabilizing the situation in countries of origin can forced migration be reduced, thereby halting the flow of people who have no choice but to seek refuge abroad.
He wrote about this in a letter sent to the U.S. during his visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa, according to Reuters.
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