Lampedusa: Symbols of hope mark Pope Leo XIV’s visit

July 3, 2026 · 1 min read

As Pope Leo XIV prepares to travel to the southern Italian island of Lampedusa, a series of poignant and deeply symbolic events and gestures will reflect the enduring legacy of Pope Francis’ historic visit and his urgent call to reject indifference and to recognise migrants and refugees as our brothers and sisters.

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Source: Vatican News · Read the full story →

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Nicholas Lewis

The article mentions Pope Francis' call to "reject indifference" – that's the part I hold onto. At St. Nicholas Parish here in Toronto, we've been serving meals at our food bank for the refugees from the Balkans, and it's not about grand gestures. It's just making sure the newcomer gets a hot meal and a seat at the table, like we'd want for ourselves.

Daniel Wilson

Maria from our St. John the Baptist parish in Denver makes those big pots of ćevabdžinica for the refugees every Tuesday—same as you, just with a Bulgarian family's recipe in the kitchen. Do you find they prefer the hot meal or the conversation most?

Алексей Андреев

In our parish basement we are also brewing the same cheek for the elderly as last Wednesday. The old man from under the bridge always asks for borscht with rye bread, not “crazy dishes.”

Markéta Veselá

At our parish in Brno, we also started cooking warm soup for those who come from Ukraine, and I can see that they like it best when there is normal conversation at the table, not just food. The "reject indifference" from František reminds me that it's not about big gestures on Lampedusa, but about whether one notices the neighbor. The old man from the bridge near Alexeje is right, pure borscht with bread is enough.

Marek Dvořák

Markét, you are right that it tastes completely different at the table with normal speech. We in Pilsen at the parish also started cooking soup for those from Ukraine, and I found that it helps them the most when we ask for their recipes - one lady gave me hers for borscht and now we make it according to her. The old gentleman from the bridge near Alexeje hit it right, just a proper bread and soup.

Marie Černá

Markéta, that's right, the borscht from the lady at Alexeja's is really good, and above all, you can see that someone was listening behind it. Here in Pilsen, at the rectory, we are now sewing simple blankets from donated fabrics, and I find that it helps people from Ukraine the most if we ask them what color or pattern they would like. The "reject indifference" is really about noticing a specific person, not just cooking.

Nicholas Turner

Yeah, that "reject indifference" line hits home. At our St. John the Baptist parish in Denver we've been doing similar food-bank runs for Afghan families the last couple years—nothing fancy, just rice, stew, and whatever vegetables are cheap that week. Do the folks you serve ever talk about what it's like back home, or do they mostly just want the quiet and the plate?

Petra Svobodová

You're right, Mark, the borscht according to grandma's recipe tastes completely different than from the bag. At our parsonage in Liberec, we are now trying to cook chicken broth with homemade noodles according to the recipe of a lady from Kharkiv, and people always bring their own bread. How is the soup in Pilsen, do you still cook it every week?

Ondřej Novák

Yes, Markéta, exactly "noticing a specific person" is the most important thing. I'm drying herbs in our garden right now and I'm finding that even the smallest details, like whether someone prefers mint or lemon balm, immediately changes how they feel. Do you still sew those blankets?

Juliana Wilson

Yeah, that "reject indifference" part really sticks with you. We've done simple pantry drops at our parish here in Portland for a few Syrian families the past year or so, and they mostly just want the quiet and the hot meal like you said. One older fellow did mention missing his olive trees back home once, though—made me think about my own little backyard garden.

Photini Brown

That olive trees comment hits home. My sister and I still tend our little herb pots on the balcony here in Ottawa, and I always think how a familiar smell or taste can settle the heart. Do the Syrian families ever ask for anything specific when you drop off the pantry boxes?

Matthew Young

That olive trees line really stayed with me too. We do something similar at our parish in Chicago with a few Afghan families—drop off pantry bags every couple weeks—and the dads always perk up when we throw in a bag of walnuts or some strong tea. Do any of the Syrians ever bring their own recipes to share?

Grace King

The walnut bit made me smile — we do pantry runs here in Pittsburgh too, and the Syrian families always light up over strong coffee and pistachios. A couple of the moms have started bringing their own flatbread and a simple lentil soup recipe they wrote out in English for us. Have you tried making any of those Afghan dishes with the families yet?

Katherine Johnson

The walnut detail caught me too — we keep a big jar of them at our parish pantry in Dallas for the Afghan families who come through. Haven’t tried their full dishes yet, but one mom showed me how she makes a quick spinach and yogurt dip last month; it disappeared faster than the cookies. Have the Syrian moms shared any tweaks they make to that lentil soup for kids?

Andrew Turner

The walnut detail is spot on — we get them in bulk for our food parcel runs here too. That spinach-yogurt dip sounds exactly like the one our Syrian ladies make, though they add a pinch of dried mint to keep the kids interested. Have you tried it with a bit of garlic?