<
https://theconversation.com/why-pope-leos-visit-to-lampedusa-matters-for-migrants-the-church-and-global-politics-286732>
"As the US celebrated its 250th anniversary, Pope Leo XIV decided instead to
visit the Sicilian island of Lampedusa.
Closer to Africa geographically than to Italy, the island is known as a place
of
sbarchi (sea landings) for thousands immigrants and asylum seekers
journeying from Africa to Europe, and a place where thousands of others have
died. While there, the pope visited the Door of Europe memorial for migrants
who have died on the journey, and prayed at some of their graves.
His homily called on European leaders to rise to the “momentous challenge” of
addressing migration. This, he said, should include “receiving, protecting,
supporting and integrating migrants” and a move away from “emergency” policies.
Many anticipated the visit would further sour the already tense diplomatic
relations between the Trump administration and the Holy See. Leo has already
called Trump’s treatment of immigrants “inhuman”.
In June, the pontiff visited the Canary Islands, where he spoke to migrants,
telling them “You are not numbers or files, you are people”. Migration and
human dignity were also central to his message to Americans on receiving the
National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal: “The moral greatness of a nation
is manifested, above all, in its capacity to support, protect and cherish the
lives of all, especially the most vulnerable and those whose worth is
questioned.”
His letter to Americans on the 250th anniversary of the US said that the
Catholic principle of “defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting
and assisting immigrants”.
In visiting Lampedusa, Pope Leo explicitly signalled the continuity of his
pontificate with that of Pope Francis. Although Lampedusa is in Italy, Pope
Francis’ visit to the island in 2013 was regarded as his first “international”
trip. The flow of people, cultures and religions traversing this tiny piece of
land is truly global, and so are the policy responses that are needed to
address it."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
