Pope Leo XIV Commemorates the 4th of July in Lampedusa

July 4, 2024 – On the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence, Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, chose to spend his second 4th of July as the pontiff in Lampedusa, Italy, a small island at the forefront of the European migrant crisis.

Lampedusa, situated between Tunisia and Malta in the Mediterranean Sea, is a crucial transit point for migrants seeking a better life in Europe. Despite the island’s small size, it has borne the brunt of the migrant crisis, with thousands of people risking their lives to cross the treacherous waters.

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lampedusa on the eve of the 4th of July and immediately released a letter to Americans, reflecting on the principles that have shaped the United States for 250 years. He emphasized the importance of treating immigrants with