Italy Pope Lampedusa

Tombs of migrants, including two babies, who died in shipwrecks are seen at the cemetery on the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Friday, July 3, 2026, one day before Pope Leo XIV's visit.

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Pope marks July 4 by praying in Lampedusa for migrants who died seeking freedom and prosperity

Pope marks July 4 by praying in Lampedusa for migrants who died seeking freedom and prosperity

Pope Leo XIV is spending the Fourth of July in the epicenter of Europe’s migration debate. While the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with rallies, parties and fireworks, history’s first U.S.-born pope traveled to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa. He is honoring the tens of thousands of migrants who have died trying to reach Europe to find freedom and prosperity. In doing so, Leo is sending a powerful and symbolic message to the United States and Europe. Amid the Trump administration immigration crackdown, Leo is reminding America that it was founded by immigrants.