Pope Leo XIV has urged European leaders to confront the major challenge of migration during his visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa.

The pontiff encouraged Europe to support better integration for newcomers and improve conditions in their countries of origin, speaking at a mass on the island that sees tens of thousands of migrants arrive each year.

"Those who have lost their lives in this sea are victims both of decisions that were made and of decisions that were not made," the Pope said.

Since taking leadership of the Catholic Church in May 2025, the Pope has often advocated for increased migrant support and spoken against restrictive policies.

His journey follows two weeks after the EU adopted stricter migration regulations permitting tighter border measures and expanded detention authority.

This reflects a broader pattern of governments toughening approaches to irregular migration, as seen in measures by countries including the UK and Italy.

The Pope started his visit by going to a cemetery on Lampedusa, where he prayed at graves of migrants who died crossing the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe.

He also visited the "Door of Europe" memorial for those lost at sea and met with a migrant family.

"From this far-flung corner of Europe on the Mediterranean Sea, one can more clearly perceive the momentous challenge that the phenomenon of migration poses to European societies," the Pope told island Catholics.

"Europe is capable of addressing the crisis in this region in a comprehensive manner, integrating immediate relief efforts into a long-term strategic plan capable of receiving, protecting, supporting and integrating migrants" while "assisting developing countries so that no one is forced to emigrate," he said.

The island of Lampedusa - which sits 90 miles (145km) off Tunisia's coast - hosts a migrant reception center that faces overcrowding and difficult conditions.

Many travelers use poorly maintained and overloaded boats, heightening risks during the sea journey.

More than 1,400 people have died or gone missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean this year, including 28 children, according to the UN's International Organization for Migration.

New arrivals, rescue workers, aid representatives and the Italian Coast Guard gathered to welcome the Pope.

The Pope "continues to accompany you, support you and encourage you", he told the crowd.

"The pope's visit speaks to every one of us," Kandeh Abdourahman, a migrant who reached Lampedusa in 2015, told Reuters.

It was "a reminder that our stories are seen, that welcome is not just a word but an act of humanity", said Abdourahman, now a cultural mediator with the International Rescue Committee.