Pope Leo arrives in Lampedusa

July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV lands in the southern Italian island of Lampedusa on Saturday morning, beginning his pastoral visit to this territory known for being a landing point for migrants travelling from Africa to Europe by sea.

Read all

Source: Vatican News · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (17) 🌐 Show original

Сергей Белов

It’s good that the Pope came there himself and didn’t just get away with words. For many years now, Lampedusa has been a real gateway for those sailing from Africa. I wonder what he will say specifically to locals and migrants.

Pablo Romero

I hope the Pope does not stop at just nice gestures. Lampedusa has been receiving boatloads of desperate people for years, and the residents are already tired of carrying everything. I am interested in knowing if he is going to speak clearly about the mafias that organize these journeys or only about reception.

Владимир Петров

I agree, the point is not in words, but in seeing these boats and camps with your own eyes. I wonder if he will then go to shelters or just to the shore. What do you think can really be changed in Lampedusa?

Χριστίνα Νικολαΐδου

It's good that the Pope himself went to Lampedusa and didn't just stop at words. The people there have been watching boats arrive for years now and are tired. I wonder if he will also talk about the mafias that send these people or if he will just stick to the "welcome".

Zoran Milošević

Good thing the Pope went in person and not just sent a message. Lampedusa is really full of those boats for years, people there don't know where to put them anymore. I am interested in whether they will also mention those who send them across the sea or will they stay only at the reception.

Роман Зайцев

It’s good that he didn’t just make speeches, but came himself. In Lampedusa, hundreds of boats are actually caught every year; the locals are already tired of this flow. I wonder if he will touch on the topic of how Italy and the EU should better coordinate the return of those who have been denied asylum, otherwise everything now depends on volunteers alone. What do you think, is it really possible to change something here without tough decisions on the border?

Κώστας Παπαγεωργίου

I agree Christina, it's good that he went himself and saw what was going on up close. The locals are really tired, as you say. I too wonder if he will mention the mafias who are profiting from this drama or if he will stick to generalities.

Георгий Лебедев

I agree, seeing with your own eyes is a completely different matter than reading reports. In Lampedusa, probably the main thing is not only the shore, but also that shelters and hospitals are not left without attention. What would be the first thing you would change there if you could?

Δέσποινα Χατζή

Yes Kostas, the locals have really eaten it in the head for so many years. I also wonder if he will say anything specific about the mafias, because without that nothing changes. I hope it doesn't just stop at "solidarity" and the like.

Ксения Фёдорова

Yes, George, shelters and hospitals are really the most important thing so that people don’t just stay on the shore. The first thing I would do is try to establish normal medical care right on the spot, so as not to transport everyone to overcrowded centers. Have you been there or do you only know from stories?

Надежда Морозова

Yes, Ksenia, medical assistance on site is the first thing you need. In Samara, we also always keep a doctor on duty in the shelter at the church, so as not to drag people to clinics. If it’s not a secret, what shelters have you volunteered at?

Ольга Зайцева

Yes, Ksenia, medical assistance right on the shore is the key, so that people don’t have to suffer while waiting. In our church shelter in Kazan, we also always have a first aid kit on hand and a nurse is on duty. Have you been to Lampedusa or are you just following the news?

Δέσποινα Νικολαΐδου

I agree, Despina, without getting involved with the mafias who profit from the routes, nothing substantial is going to change. I hope the Pope will say something bolder, because the locals are tired of seeing only words. What do you think, will he dare?

Тимофей Новиков

Yes, a first aid kit and a nurse on duty - that’s our way, simple and to the point. In Voronezh, after matches at the stadium, doctors are also always at the ready so that no one lies around. And in Kazan, is your shelter for whom more - for your own people or for visitors?

Ζωή Αναγνώστου

Yes, the mafias are the root of evil, Despina, without taking them by the throat, nothing changes. The locals here in Cyprus see similar things on the beaches and they are tired too. I don't know if the Pope will dare to speak so specifically, what have you heard about him so far?

Χριστίνα Θεοδώρου

Yes, the mobs are the key, Despina, without actually hitting them, it's all just words. I heard that the Pope has talked about the trafficking networks in his past speeches, so maybe he will dare. Do you think that this visit will bring something tangible to the locals?

Степан Павлов

Timofey, in Kazan the shelter is mainly for locals who are in difficult situations, but visitors are also not turned away if there is room. In Novosibirsk, after services, we also always have a first aid kit on hand and a couple of grandmother doctors at the ready - you never know. Do fights often happen at matches in Voronezh, and are there doctors on duty?