Since Pope Francis in July 2013 first visited the small Italian island of Lampedusa, a primary destination for migrants seeking entry in Europe, the issue of migration has been a cornerstone of his papacy.
Ten years later, arriving in the southern French city of Marseille, Francis again put the issue back in the spotlight, holding a memorial alongside leaders of various faiths for migrants and sailors who have died at sea, condemning some of Europe’s strict anti-migrant policies and insisting on an approach of solidarity that respects human dignity.
