Pope Leo IV dedicates plaque to Pope Francis on Lampedusa

Pope Leo IV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, visited the Italian island of Lampedusa and inaugurated a memorial plaque in honor of his predecessor, Pope Francis. The plaque, placed at the former “Molo Favoloro” now renamed “Molo Papa Francis,” reads: “Molo Papa Francis – place of arrival, hope and humanity.”

During the ceremony the pope also visited the island’s migrant reception centre, meeting refugees who have recently reached European soil, and paid respects at the Lampedusa cemetery and the “Gate to Europe” memorial, where victims of sea crossings are commemorated.