Mediterranean Migrant Deaths Expected to Reach Nearly 100 in 2024
Pope Calls for Unified and Sustainable Mechanisms to Protect Immigrants
Pope Francis attended the international summit “Italy-Africa: A Bridge for Shared Growth” in Rome as a speaker, where he emphasized the need to discuss solutions to protect immigrants.
During his speech, Pope stressed the importance of unified and sustainable mechanisms to stop the loss of more human lives on dangerous migration routes. He noted that the conference provided a critical opportunity to address this issue and protect people on the move.
Pope emphasized that even “one loss of life” due to irregular migrations is unacceptable and called for a comprehensive approach that includes safe and orderly migration routes. He highlighted the alarming increase in irregular migrant deaths and disappearances in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean, with nearly 100 cases already recorded since the beginning of 2024.
According to Pope, 2023 saw the highest number of irregular migrant deaths and disappearances since 2016, with the total reaching 3,041 by the end of the year. He also pointed out Italy’s efforts to implement development projects for Africa in collaboration with the European Union, with the aim of increasing cooperation with African countries and preventing irregular immigrant arrivals.
The Italy-Africa Summit held in Rome is seen as a significant opportunity to address these goals at a high level and work towards a more sustainable and safe approach to migration. Pope’s call for unified action and sustainable mechanisms to protect immigrants reflects the urgency of the situation and the need for international cooperation to address this pressing issue.
