Pope Leo urges Americans to welcome immigrants as US turns 250
Pope Leo used the occasion of the United States' 250th anniversary to appeal to Americans to welcome and protect immigrants, while simultaneously drawing attention to the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean during a visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa.
In a letter sent to Americans on July 4, 2026, the US-born pontiff wrote that protecting human life also means "welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants, whose hopes, sacrifices and contribution have formed part of the history of this country from its very beginning," as reported by France 24 — English. The letter came a day after he delivered a video address to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, where he received the Liberty Medal, according to The Guardian — World and Deutsche Welle.
In that speech, Leo described how "successive waves of immigrants" had played a role in building the United States, and said the word "America" had become a "byword for freedom" globally because of the country's tradition of welcoming migrants, as reported by The Guardian — World. He urged Americans to live up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, hoping that the anniversary would prompt a "solemn recommitment" to the nation's founding principles, according to France 24 — English.
The pope also called for "moderation" in US public discourse, urging Americans to find "common ground" and "unity," while not mentioning President Donald Trump by name, as reported by France 24 — English. His remarks come amid repeated clashes with the Trump administration over its hardline immigration policies, which Leo has previously criticized as inhumane, according to The Guardian — World.
Leo's visit to Lampedusa, a key entry point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa, was deliberately timed to coincide with the US Independence Day holiday, Vatican officials said, as reported by RFI — English. On the island, he laid flowers at a cemetery where migrants who died at sea are buried, and visited the Porta d'Europa memorial, according to The Guardian — World. He also blessed a plaque on a pier named after his predecessor, Pope Francis, who visited Lampedusa in 2013 on his first official papal trip.
During the visit, Leo urged European leaders to do more to assist migrants, calling for a "comprehensive manner" that integrates immediate relief into a long-term strategy for receiving, protecting, supporting and integrating migrants, as reported by RFI — English. The pope told those gathered, including newly arrived migrants and coast guard officials, that he had come to show that he "continues to accompany you, support you and encourage you," according to Deutsche Welle.
The visit highlighted the ongoing dangers faced by migrants. More than 1,400 people have died or gone missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean this year, and a total of 14,464 migrants have arrived in Italy by sea so far in 2026, as reported by The Guardian — World and RFI — English. Over 182,000 people have transited Lampedusa's reception centre in the past three years, according to Deutsche Welle. The International Organization for Migration has recorded tens of thousands of deaths since 2014 among people who set off from Tunisia or Libya, as reported by France 24 — English.
Perspectives
Pope Leo's message, as conveyed by multiple outlets, emphasizes compassion and the moral duty to welcome migrants, framing migration as part of America's identity and a global humanitarian challenge. His criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies, while not always explicit, is seen as an implicit rebuke, according to The Guardian — World. The Trump administration has touted mass deportations and suspended some legal immigration, a stance that contrasts with the pope's call for openness, as noted by Deutsche Welle.