Pope Leo in Lampedusa: historic visit to the migrants’ cemetery

Pope Leo he arrived at Lampedusa for a pastoral visit with a strong symbolic value. With this trip, the Pontiff relaunches one of the key themes of his predecessor, bringing the drama of forced migrations in the Mediterranean back to the center of the attention of the Church and the world.

Upon his arrival at the airport, the Holy Father was welcomed by the highest religious and political authorities, including the archbishop of Agrigento Alessandro Damiano, the undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, the Sicilian governor Renato Schifani and the mayor of the island Filippo Mannino.

The historic stop at the cemetery of the “invisibles”

Pope Leo is the first world leader to visit the Lampedusa cemeterywhere the nameless migrants also rest. In one area of ​​the cemetery there are fifteen bare crosses. Among these, that of Youssefa child from Guinea who drowned at just six months old, remembered by his parents with a photo and a touching dedication.

The Pontiff knelt to lay one wreath of flowers and he gathered himself in a long moment of silent contemplation. Next to him were Archbishop Damiano, the parish priest of the island Don Carmelo Rizzo and the vicar of Rome, Cardinal Baldo Reina.

The blessing at Molo Favaloro

The visit continued with a stop at Molo Favalorothe concrete arm that has become over the years the symbol of all the lives saved on Lampedusa. Here the Pontiff blessed the plaque naming the pier a Pope Franciswhich reads: “Pope Francis Pier, landing place, hope, humanity”. After gathering in front of the monument dedicated to Bergoglio, Pope Leo greeted a group of migrants assisted by the workers Red Cross.

The meeting at the Gate of Europe and the unscheduled event

Subsequently, the Pope reached the Porta d’Europe in the Cavallo Bianco area. The monument, 5 meters high and facing Libya, is dedicated to those who lost their lives at sea. Here the Holy Father greeted a family of migrants and a couple who had adopted a foreign boy, and then crossed the door alone holding two children by the hand.

Immediately afterwards, an unscheduled moment occurred: after touching the work and looking at the sea, the Pontiff walked on the rocks until he reached the shore, while the strong wind made his skullcap fly, which he immediately recovered.