The visit, the first by the American-born pontiff to the island, includes stops at a cemetery where unidentified migrants are buried, a meeting with a migrant family, a visit to the “Door of Europe” memorial, and a Mass celebrating solidarity with those forced to flee conflict, poverty and persecution.

Leo’s trip comes less than two weeks after the European Union approved new migration rules that expand detention powers and permit the establishment of deportation centers outside the bloc, a move that has intensified debate over the balance between border security and humanitarian obligations.

Since assuming the papacy, the Chicago-born pope has made the protection of migrants a defining priority, continuing an emphasis established by his predecessor, Pope Francis. Leo has repeatedly praised individuals and organizations assisting vulnerable migrants while criticizing policies that rely primarily on deportation and deterrence.

The 70-year-old pontiff is expected to use his visit to urge governments to create safe and legal pathways for migration, presenting humanitarian protection as an essential responsibility rather than solely a border management issue.

Filippo Ungaro, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said Leo’s presence on Lampedusa sends a significant message at a time when international discussions increasingly focus on border controls instead of protection and shared responsibility toward displaced people.

Located about 145 kilometers (90 miles) from Tunisia, Lampedusa has become one of Europe’s most recognizable gateways for migrants attempting the dangerous Central Mediterranean crossing from North Africa. While known for its tourism industry and beaches, the island has also become a symbol of both rescue efforts and repeated maritime tragedies.

More than 360 migrants died in the island’s deadliest recorded shipwreck in 2013, and numerous others have lost their lives in subsequent years while attempting the crossing. The pope has previously praised the compassion shown by the island’s roughly 6,000 residents toward those arriving by sea.

During the visit, Leo is scheduled to begin at the cemetery where unidentified migrants are buried in numbered graves before visiting the “Door of Europe,” a monument dedicated to those who died attempting to reach Europe. He will also stop at the island’s pier, where migrants rescued by the Italian coast guard and humanitarian rescue vessels first arrive.

At the harbor, Leo will bless a plaque honoring Pope Francis, who chose Lampedusa for his first pastoral trip after becoming pope in 2013. The visit will conclude with an outdoor Mass at a local sports field.

The trip follows Leo’s recent visit to Spain’s Canary Islands, another major migration route into Europe, where he criticized human trafficking networks. He has also condemned measures aimed at restricting irregular migration and previously described the treatment of immigrants by the United States administration as “inhuman.”

Speaking on Friday during celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, Leo called for moderation in American political discourse and highlighted the contribution successive generations of immigrants have made to the country’s development.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Central Mediterranean remains the world’s deadliest migration route. The agency says around 1,330 people died or disappeared while attempting the crossing last year, underscoring the continuing humanitarian risks faced by migrants seeking to reach Europe.

Salvatore Sortino, director of the IOM Coordination Office for the Mediterranean, said the fatalities demonstrate the urgent need to strengthen search-and-rescue operations. Humanitarian organizations operating rescue vessels have repeatedly argued that European authorities should do more to prevent deaths at sea.

UNHCR data show that more than 14,000 migrants reached Italy during the first six months of the year, with most departing from Libya. Nearly 60 percent of those arrivals landed on Lampedusa, although overall arrivals remain well below the levels recorded during the Arab Spring in 2011, when maritime border controls collapsed and tens of thousands reached the island within months.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed the release of the three activists, who were part of an international convoy seeking to transport humanitarian supplies, including medicine and temporary housing units, to the Gaza Strip.

According to the Global Sumud Flotilla, the group was among approximately 230 activists from multiple countries involved in the overland mission. The organization said the three Italians had crossed into neighboring Tunisia following their release and were accompanied by a Tunisian activist who had also been detained.

The activists were identified by Tajani as Domenico Centrone, Leonarda Alberizia and Matias Alvarez Rodriguez, an Italian citizen born in Uruguay.

The Global Sumud Flotilla said another six detainees were expected to be released within the next 24 hours. The organization alleged that those held had been subjected to arbitrary detention, communication restrictions and sustained psychological pressure during their confinement.

The detentions occurred amid growing international attention on activist-led efforts to challenge restrictions on access to Gaza, where humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned of shortages of food, medicine and essential supplies following months of conflict.

Israel maintains control over access points into Gaza and has enforced a blockade on the territory since 2007. During the war, aid deliveries have faced repeated disruptions, intensifying concerns among international humanitarian organizations.

The release comes weeks after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the treatment of activists detained during previous Gaza-related missions. Her comments followed the circulation of video footage posted by an Israeli minister showing detained activists bound and kneeling, images that drew criticism from several governments, including Australia, Canada and Spain.

The Global Sumud Flotilla has organized a series of maritime and overland initiatives intended to deliver assistance to Gaza. Last month, around 50 vessels departed from Türkiye as part of a renewed effort to reach the enclave after earlier missions were intercepted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the flotilla campaign, describing it as an operation designed to assist Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs Gaza.

Previous attempts by activists to reach Gaza have encountered repeated obstacles. In April, a flotilla operating in international waters near Greece was intercepted, and most participants were subsequently returned to Europe.

The circumstances surrounding the detention of the activists in Libya have not been publicly detailed by Libyan authorities.

Ueda scored twice as Japan controlled proceedings from the outset, extending the Asian side’s strong start to the competition and underscoring its growing status as a consistent contender on the global stage.

The victory carried additional significance as FIFA identified the contest as the 1,000th match played in World Cup history, a milestone reached nearly a century after the tournament’s inaugural edition.

Japan’s attacking movement and disciplined organization proved too much for Tunisia, which struggled to contain its opponent’s pace and creativity. The four-goal margin reflected Japan’s superiority across the pitch and ensured the Samurai Blue finished the day in a commanding position in Group F.

For Tunisia, the defeat ended hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds, bringing its World Cup campaign to a close. The North Africans entered the match needing a positive result but were unable to respond after Japan seized control.

The result continues Japan’s recent record of strong performances at major international tournaments and strengthens its ambitions of making a deep run in the competition.

Tunisia exits the tournament after failing to secure the points required to remain in contention in a highly competitive group.

Demonstrators gathered in central Tunis under the slogan “The people are hungry and prisons are full,” calling for an end to what they described as one-man rule and denouncing arrests targeting politicians, journalists and civil society figures.

Protesters said authorities were using the judiciary and security apparatus to suppress dissent while economic conditions continued to deteriorate. Tunisia has faced sluggish economic growth, rising consumer prices, shortages of medicines and some food products, financing constraints and mounting pressure on state services.

The latest demonstration reflects growing domestic criticism of Saied, who dissolved parliament in 2022 and expanded presidential powers by governing through decrees in moves opponents and rights organizations say undermined the democratic system established after Tunisia’s 2011 uprising.

Saied has repeatedly rejected accusations of authoritarianism, saying his measures are necessary to combat corruption and prevent political paralysis and instability.

Tunisia’s legal and media sectors have also intensified criticism of the government in recent weeks. The national bar association has called for strikes over concerns regarding judicial independence, while the journalists’ union has announced protests against the detention of journalists and what it describes as increasing restrictions on press freedom.

Authorities deny accusations of political repression and say legal actions taken against critics are carried out in accordance with the law.

Tunisia’s economic difficulties have been compounded by financing pressures and delays in implementing reforms sought by international lenders, while unemployment and declining purchasing power continue to fuel public frustration.

Local media reported Abdelli was charged with insulting state officials and offending public morals.

The decision comes amid heightened criticism from the performer toward Kais Saied, whom he has mocked in recent satirical content.Speaking from Paris, where he now resides, Abdelli said the verdict was intended to intimidate artists and suppress critical voices.

“This ruling is aimed at intimidating artists, silencing free and critical voices. It is a political verdict,” he said, adding that being sentenced over his work reflected broader concerns about freedom of expression.A court spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.

Abdelli, 56, has long been known for his political satire and caricatured portrayals of Tunisia’s leaders. His performances gained prominence after the Tunisian Revolution, which led to expanded civil liberties following the ousting of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

However, rights groups say freedoms have eroded since 2021, when Saied consolidated power and began ruling by decree. Critics argue that these measures have weakened democratic institutions and enabled prosecutions targeting journalists, activists and opposition figures.

In recent years, several opposition leaders, along with journalists and business figures, have been detained on charges including conspiracy against state security, corruption and money laundering.Saied has rejected accusations of authoritarianism, saying that freedoms remain guaranteed while emphasizing that no individual is above the law regardless of their status.

The case underscores ongoing tensions in Tunisia over the boundaries of free expression and the role of satire in political discourse more than a decade after the uprising that triggered the wider Arab Spring.

In March, Tunisia implemented measures to address the water scarcity issue, which included cutting off water supply during the night and prohibiting its use in agricultural activities. Initially set to expire on September 30, the government has now decided to extend these restrictions indefinitely to cope with the ongoing drought.

Furthermore, the use of drinking water for non-essential purposes such as washing cars, watering green areas, and cleaning streets and public spaces remains strictly prohibited. These measures aim to conserve water resources and ensure that available supplies are prioritized for essential needs.

Tunisia has implemented stringent penalties for those who violate the water usage ban. Offenders may face fines and imprisonment ranging from six days to six months, highlighting the seriousness with which the government is addressing the water scarcity issue.

The prolonged drought in Tunisia has taken a toll on agriculture, a vital sector for the country’s economy. The ban on using water for agricultural activities aims to mitigate the impact of the drought on crops and preserve water supplies for domestic consumption.

The government’s decision to extend the water quota system and agricultural ban reflects the ongoing challenges posed by the prolonged drought. By implementing these measures, Tunisia aims to better manage its water resources and ensure the availability of drinking water for its population.

Efforts to address the water scarcity issue in Tunisia also include initiatives to promote water conservation, explore alternative water sources, and improve water management practices. The government is actively working towards long-term solutions to mitigate the effects of drought and build resilience against future water crises.

As Tunisia continues to face the consequences of a prolonged drought, the government’s decision to extend the water quota system and agricultural ban underscores the importance of sustainable water management and conservation efforts. It remains crucial for individuals and businesses to adhere to these measures to ensure the efficient use of water resources and the well-being of the population in the face of water scarcity.

In addition to former Prime Minister Youssef Chahed and former Chief of Staff Nadia Akacha, the 12 included Moadh Ghannouchi, the son of Ennahda Islamist party leader Rached Ghannouchi.

All 12 persons are abroad now, the spokesperson added.

The ministry said the bodies were found during patrols near the border areas with Tunisia between Dahra and Tawilat Al-Rutba.

Dozens of sub-Saharan Africans are stranded near the Libyan border and say that the Tunisian authorities removed them to this border area from the city of Sfax earlier this month.

The Tunisian government then moved them to shelters in two towns, but rights groups said that dozens are still stuck there in very difficult conditions, left thirsty and hungry in an unprecedented heatwave.

Tunisian president Kais Saied in February denounced undocumented sub-Saharan African immigration to his country, saying in comments criticized by rights groups that it was aimed at changing Tunisia’s demographic make-up.

Tunisia is on the edge of a debt crisis and is suffering from shortages of essential goods. Most debt is internal but foreign loan repayments are due later this year and credit ratings agencies have said Tunisia may default.

“We will continue to support Tunisia in the coming weeks to provide additional support from the Saudi Development Fund and development funds in the Gulf.”, Saudi Arabian finance minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said after a meeting with Tunisia’s President Kais Saied.

The Saudi minister and Tunisian finance minister Sihem Boughdiri signed an agreement over a soft loan of $400 million and a grant of $100 million.

Tunisia is seeking to secure funds from the Gulf states after talks on a $1.9 billion loan have been stalled since October when Tunisia and the IMF reached a preliminary agreement.

Tunisia is facing an unprecedented migration crisis and has replaced Libya as a main departure point for people fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East in the hope of a better life in Europe.

The latest tragedy raises the number of dead and missing off the North African country’s coasts to more than 600 in the first half of 2023, far more than in any previous year, according to figures compiled by Reuters.

Tunisia’s coastguard rescued 11 people from the boat, which set off from the coast off the town of Zarzis, Faouzi Masmoudi, a judge in the city of Sfax, told Reuters.

The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, a human rights group, said on Saturday that the number of dead and missing in boat sinkings has reached 608 and the coastguard had foiled attempts to board boats by about 33,000 people from Tunisia’s coasts.

Tunisia is under pressure from European countries to stop large numbers of people departing from its coasts. But President Kais Saied has said it will not act as a border guard.