Vatican City, Jul 1, 2013 / 10:47 am
Pope Francis will travel to the southern Italian island of Lampedusa on July 8 to pray for immigrants who died trying to reach the destination.
A statement released July 1 by the Holy See press office said the Holy Father was "deeply touched by the recent sinking of a boat carrying migrants from Africa, the latest of a series of similar tragedies."
"Because of the particular circumstances," the statement explained, the Pope's visit will be "as discreet as possible, also with regard to the presence of the bishops of the region and of the civil authorities."
Over the last decade, the island of Lampedusa has been a main gateway for migrants – particularly from Africa – seeking to enter Europe.