Pope to visit Lampedusa

The Holy See has announced that Pope Francis will visit the Italian island of Lampedusa on July 8th of this year. Located roughly 74 miles from Tunisia, Lampedusa is the favored route of African migrants making their way into Italy.

Last year, a boat capsized killing several African migrants. The Vatican Press Release, issued this morning says:

On the morning of Monday, July 8, the Holy Father will pay a visit to the island of Lamedusa.  Pope Francis, profoundly touched by the recent sinking of a ferry which was transporting migrants from Africa, the last in a series of recent tragedies, will pray for those who lost their lives in the sea, visit the survivors and refugees present there, encourage the inhabitants of the island and call for the mutual cooperation of those who are responsible for taking care of these brothers and sisters in their moment of extreme need.  Due to particular circumstances, this visit will take place as discretely as possible, including the presence of the Bishops and civil authorities of the region.


A massive influx of migrants arriving in that region has been caused by political unrest in the region. In 2011, an estimated 30,000 entered into Lampedusa, causing rising tensions from the Italian population.