Pope Francis' first trip as pope was to the island of Lampedusa. It is the destination for thousands of migrants and refugees from Africa.
In 2018 the pope organized a Mass dedicated to them in St. Peter's Basilica. This year he will repeat it at 11 a.m. local time.
Additionally, one of Pope Francis last public messages before his vacation in July was about the migration crisis in Latin America.
POPE FRANCIS
I want to congratulate the Mexicans because they are so welcoming, so welcoming to migrants.
The Vatican also noted Pope Francis has seen 'with immense sadness' the image of a father and daughter drowned in the Rio Grande as they tried to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
The statement issued by the Vatican spokesman says the pope is “profoundly saddened by their death, and is praying for them and for all migrants who have lost their lives while seeking to flee war and misery.”
In recent days, tension has escalated along the U.S.-Mexico border. The UN has warned that around 83,000 migrants lives may be at risk in that area
