Pope Leo XIV again weighed in on the global immigration debate on Sunday, calling on world leaders to “listen to the cry of the poorest.”
In a post on X, he wrote, “I urge Heads of State and the leaders of nations to listen to the cry of the poorest. There can be no peace without justice. The poor remind us of this in many ways, through migration as well as through their cries, which are often stifled by the myth of well-being and progress, which does not take everyone into account.”
The pope’s remarks add to a growing number of comments he has made on immigration, a topic he has continued to address as the United States and other Western countries push for stricter limits on mass migration and illegal immigration.
Earlier this month, Pope Leo called for “deep reflection” on how migrants are treated in the United States. Speaking to reporters outside the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, he stressed the importance of how nations welcome others, saying the question that will be asked at the end of the world will be, “How did you receive the foreigner, did you receive him and welcome him, or not? I think there is a deep reflection that needs to be made about what is happening.”
He also said that “the spiritual rights of people who have been detained should also be considered.” He urged authorities to allow pastoral workers access to detained migrants, adding, “Many times they’ve been separated from their families. No one knows what’s happening, but their own spiritual needs should be attended to.”
Pope Leo has previously described the treatment of immigrants in the United States as “inhumane,” and has argued that someone who opposes abortion but supports current immigration enforcement practices is not “pro-life.”
Following in the Pope’s footsteps, America’s Roman Catholic bishops recently released a statement condemning the Trump administration’s deportation raids. The measure passed in a near-unanimous vote during the bishops’ annual conference in Baltimore. While the statement did not mention President Trump or other politicians by name, it signaled opposition to the administration’s push for stricter immigration enforcement.
“We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people,” the statement said. “We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement. We pray that the Lord may guide the leaders of our nation, and we are grateful for past and present opportunities to dialogue with public and elected officials.”
Border czar Tom Homan, a lifelong Catholic, had strong words for the bishops, stating “A secure border saves lives. We’re going to enforce the law, and by doing that, we save a lot of lives,” according to the Washington Examiner.
