ROME — Pope Leo XIV visited the residence of the United States ambassador to the Holy See on July 4 after spending the day on the Italian island of Lampedusa praying for migrants who died attempting to cross the Mediterranean, linking humanitarian concerns with the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
The Holy See said the Chicago-born pontiff accepted an invitation from U.S. Ambassador Brian Burch to attend a Fourth of July reception at the ambassador's residence in Rome after returning from his one-day pastoral visit to Lampedusa. The visit came hours after Leo prayed at a cemetery for migrant victims, visited memorial sites on the island and celebrated Mass focused on the plight of refugees and displaced people.
Earlier in the day, Leo laid flowers at graves of migrants who died during attempts to reach Europe by sea and visited the "Door of Europe" monument, a symbol of remembrance for those lost on the Mediterranean migration route. He also met migrants and aid workers before celebrating Mass, where he urged a compassionate response to those forced to flee conflict, poverty and persecution.
In his message marking the U.S. semiquincentennial, Leo said he prayed that the anniversary would renew the nation's commitment to the ideals of liberty, justice and peace. Calling himself "a son of this great country," he expressed hope that the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence would continue to guide the United States.
The Vatican said the pope's appearance at the ambassador's residence followed the completion of his pastoral engagements in Lampedusa. Vatican officials did not indicate that the visit included formal diplomatic talks, describing it as an occasion marking the U.S. national holiday.
Leo's Lampedusa trip echoed the first pastoral journey made by Pope Francis outside Rome in 2013, when Francis drew global attention to the humanitarian crisis facing migrants crossing the Mediterranean. The island, situated between North Africa and Sicily, has long served as a principal arrival point for people attempting the dangerous sea crossing into Europe.
During his homily, Leo condemned the suffering endured by migrants and refugees and urged governments and societies to respond with both immediate compassion and longer-term efforts to address the causes of forced migration. His visit concluded with greetings to local authorities, volunteers and children before he returned to Rome, where he later attended the Independence Day event at the U.S. ambassador's residence.
