Pope Leo XIV honors Mother Cabrini, calls for migrant compassion

Pope Leo XIV visited Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, the birthplace of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini – the first American saint and patron of migrants. He prayed at her tomb, highlighted her missionary charism and urged young people to learn about her life, saying, “What could be more relevant today than a missionary charism dedicated to serving migrants?” and “Let us ask ourselves: if Mother Francesca were alive today, what would her missionary spirit tell us?”

The pope framed Cabrini’s legacy as a moral response to today’s complex migration crisis, linking it to his broader advocacy for safe, legal routes for people fleeing hardship. He noted his ongoing clash with the Trump administration over U.S. migration policy and stressed the need for compassion from both churches and governments.

Leo’s visit was part of a summer tour of Italy that included stops in Pavia and an earlier trip to Spain’s Canary Islands. He announced that on July 4 – U.S. Independence Day – he will travel to Lampedusa, the Sicilian island that has become a focal point for migrants crossing from North Africa. The trip underscores the pope’s continued emphasis on welcoming the stranger as a core element of Catholic teaching.