On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV strongly affirmed the U.S. Catholic bishops’ message condemning the Trump administration’s immigration raids. The bishops have criticized the mass deportation agenda and the ‘vilification’ of migrants, expressing concerns over the fear and anxiety such raids have caused within communities and the lack of pastoral care in detention centers. Pope Leo XIV said he appreciated the bishops’ message and encouraged Catholics and all people of goodwill to listen to migrants and treat them with dignity, even if they are in the United States illegally.
The bishops’ statement reads: ‘We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement. We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants. We are concerned about the conditions in detention centers and the lack of access to pastoral care.’ The document also opposed ‘the indiscriminate mass deportation of people.’
Leo, the first American pope, emphasized the importance of a humane approach, even for those in the U.S. illegally, noting that there are ways to treat such individuals with respect through the judicial system. He acknowledged the complexities of the U.S. migration system but made it clear that no one has called for open borders, and every country has the right to choose its immigration policies.
The federal government had reversed a Biden administration directive prohibiting immigration agents from carrying out raids at sensitive areas such as churches, schools and hospitals. Leo acknowledged these problems but stressed the importance of a balanced approach to immigration that respects national sovereignty.
The bishops’ ‘special message’ marked the first time since 2013 they had crafted a single-issue statement during a general assembly. This highlights the growing concern within the Catholic Church over immigration policies and their social impact. The Vatican has been vocal about the need to protect the dignity of all people, regardless of their legal status in the U.S. The bishops’ condemnation of Trump’s immigration policy has also reflected a broader concern about the human cost of mass deportations and the need to maintain a compassionate and fair system.