Pope Leo XIV has intensified his critique of President Trump's policies, particularly concerning immigration.
During a recent meeting with American bishops at the Vatican, Leo urged them to vocally oppose the Trump administration's approach to deporting millions of illegal immigrants. This meeting, as reported by Reuters, saw Leo receiving numerous letters from immigrants and left-leaning activists highlighting the perceived injustices they face.
El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz, who participated in the meeting, conveyed the Pope's deep personal concern regarding these issues. "Our Holy Father is very personally concerned about these matters," Seitz stated. "He expressed his desire that the U.S. Bishops Conference would speak strongly on this issue."
The Vatican has not officially commented on the meeting, but the Pope's recent public statements align with this narrative. According to Gateway Pundit, Leo addressed a large gathering at St. Peters Square, emphasizing the importance of treating migrants with compassion rather than indifference or discrimination.
Leo's message was clear: Catholics should embrace migrants as "brothers and sisters," offering them solace and hope. He described this era as a "new missionary age" for the Church, urging its members to extend "hospitality and welcome, compassion and solidarity" to those arriving in the West. He further elaborated that the presence of migrants from the global South should be seen as an opportunity for renewal within the Church.
The Pope's remarks come amid his criticism of the Trump administration's self-identification as "pro-life," given its stance on deportations. "Someone who says Im against abortion but says Im in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life," Leo argued.
He questioned the consistency of being anti-abortion while supporting what he views as the harsh treatment of immigrants in the U.S. "So someone who says, Im against abortion, but Im in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I dont know if thats pro-life," he stated.
In response, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the Pope's assertions. "I would reject that there is inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the United States under this administration," she countered.
Leavitt pointed to the previous administration's handling of immigration, highlighting the severe abuses suffered by immigrants during that period, including trafficking and violence at the southern border. This exchange underscores the ongoing debate over immigration policy and the broader implications for the pro-life movement.
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