Pope Leo XIV has called upon European leaders to address the pressing challenge of migration during his visit to Italy's Lampedusa island, a significant gateway for migrants. The Pontiff emphasized the need for improved integration and assistance in home countries while addressing a congregation on the island that receives tens of thousands of migrants annually. He lamented the lives lost at sea, attributing their deaths to both decisions made and not made by authorities. Since his ascension to the papacy in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV has consistently advocated for greater support for migrants, often criticizing anti-migrant policies. His visit comes two weeks after the EU approved stricter immigration rules allowing for tighter border controls and broader detention powers, reflecting a wider trend of governments adopting measures to deter undocumented migration. The Pope began his trip by visiting a cemetery on Lampedusa, praying at the graves of migrants who perished during their treacherous journey across the Mediterranean Sea. He also stood at the "Door of Europe" memorial and spoke with a migrant family. Recognizing the magnitude of the migration crisis faced by European societies, he urged comprehensive action to provide immediate relief while implementing long-term strategic plans for receiving, protecting, supporting, and integrating migrants. Simultaneously, he emphasized the importance of assisting developing countries so that no one is compelled to emigrate due to dire conditions. The island's overcrowded migrant reception center with challenging living conditions serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by migrants, many of whom travel in poorly maintained and overcrowded vessels, making sea crossings even more hazardous. Over 1,400 people have died or gone missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean this year, including 28 children, according to the UN's International Organization for Migration. The Pope's visit was met with gratitude by new migrants, rescue officials, members of aid groups, and the Italian Coast Guard, who gathered to see him. Kandeh Abdourahman, a migrant who arrived in Lampedusa in 2015, said the Pope's visit served as a reminder that their stories are seen and that welcome is more than just a word; it is an act of humanity. The Pope has consistently made support for migrants a central theme of his papacy, often finding himself at odds with US President Donald Trump and his anti-immigration stance. In a letter addressed to fellow Americans on the 250th anniversary of US independence, he emphasized the Catholic value of defending life, which includes welcoming, protecting, and assisting immigrants, recalling how their sacrifices and contributions have shaped the nation's history.