Pope challenges US on migration legacy as anniversary visit rebukes Trump

Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, delivered a rebuke to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown on July 4th by praising the United States' historical tradition of welcoming migrants. According to the Guardian, the Chicago-born pontiff urged Americans to live up to the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence.

The symbolic weight of the papal intervention was underscored by his presence on Lampedusa, the Sicilian island that has become Europe's most visible gateway for migrants crossing the Mediterranean. France 24 reported that the pope's decision to visit the migration hub on July 4th itself constituted a statement, arriving as the US celebrated its 250th anniversary. At a cemetery on the island, according to the BBC, he paid tribute to migrants who have died attempting the crossing to reach Europe.