Pope Leo has urged his fellow Americans to welcome and protect immigrants as the United States marked the 250th anniversary of its independence on Saturday. During a visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa he also pressed Europe to do more for people fleeing war and poverty.
In a letter sent to Americans on the July 4 anniversary, US-born Pope Leo insisted that protecting the unborn and all human life also means “welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants, whose hopes, sacrifices and contribution have formed part of the history of this country from its very beginning".