In another firm echo of the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Leo XIV released a nine-minute video message to the island community of Lampedusa on Friday, praising its efforts to welcome migrants and refugees and appearing to offer the prospect of an imminent papal visit. “Today we greet each other at a distance, but I hope soon in person,” Leo said at the opening of the message, directed at the people of the island community in support of their bid to become part of the cultural patrimony of humanity recognized by UNESCO.