Pope Francis is donating to the parish church of Lampedusa a crucifix that President Raul Castro gave him during his visit to Cuba.
Measuring over three metres high, the crucifix is crafted from wooden oars tied with ropes to symbolise the reality of migrants who have crossed the Mediterranean by boat.
Lampedusa is an island off the coast of Sicily which receives the majority of migrants and refugees crossing the Mediterranean sea by boat from Libya to Italy.
The tiny island was also the first place in Italy that Pope Francis chose to visit after his election.
The crucifix will be displayed in the Church of the Holy Cross in Agrigento for the opening of the Jubilee Year of Mercy on December 11 and then will be taken on a pilgrimage across the Archdiocese of Agrigento before taking up its final residence in the parish church of Lampedusa.
Cardinal Francesco Montenegro of Agrigento, whose archdiocese includes Lampedusa, announced the Pope’s decision.
He made the announcement at Italy’s National Ecclesial Congress in Florence that was attended by the Pope on Tuesday.
The parish priest of Lampedusa Don Mimmo Zambito said the image of this crucifix symbolises the humanity and mercy of Jesus Christ who triumphs over every conflict, knocking down walls and crossing borders.
Italian Coast Guard and Guardia di Finanza vessels gather at the spot where 366 migrants perished in the 2013 Lampedusa migrant boat disaster (CNS photo)
Having been unable to sell in churches for well over a year due to the pandemic, we are now inviting readers to support the Herald by investing in our future. We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values.
Please join us on our 130 year mission by supporting us. We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching. For more information from our chairman on contributing to the Herald Patron's Fund, click here
Make a Donation
Donors giving £500 or more will automatically become sponsor patrons of the Herald. This includes two complimentary print/digital gift subscriptions, invitations to Patron events, pilgrimages and dinners, and 6 gift subscriptions sent to priests, seminaries, Catholic schools, religious care homes and prison and university chaplaincies. Click here for more information on becoming a Patron Sponsor. Click here for more information about contributing to the Herald Patron's Fund