In his first speech to global diplomats, Pope Leo XIV asked governments around the world to treat immigrants with respect and humanity. He said it’s the duty of leaders to help create peaceful and fair societies, and that everyone—especially vulnerable people like the sick, elderly, poor, and immigrants—deserve dignity and protection.
Pope Leo, who is 69 years old, shared that he understands immigration personally. He was born in Chicago, but spent many years in Peru doing missionary work. His grandparents on his father’s side moved to the U.S. from France. On his mother’s side, his family has Creole roots, and his grandfather was born in Haiti before moving to New Orleans, and eventually to Chicago. Census records from the time described his maternal grandparents using an outdated term for people of mixed African and European heritage.
Before becoming pope, Leo—formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost—was outspoken about his disapproval of how the Trump administration handled immigration. Recently, he shared a post on social media criticizing former President Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele for laughing together in the Oval Office while discussing sending immigrants from the U.S. to El Salvador’s infamous mega prison, CECOT.
One of those deported was Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father who was living legally in the U.S. and married to an American citizen. He was mistakenly deported due to a government error and sent to a harsh prison in El Salvador instead of being returned home. Rather than correcting the mistake, Trump met with Bukele and acted as if they couldn’t do anything to help Garcia.
Another case involved Andry Romero, a young gay man and asylum-seeker who was arrested when he showed up for his scheduled immigration appointment. He was deported and placed in the same dangerous prison. His family hasn’t heard from him since. During a hearing in Congress, Representative Robert Garcia begged the Secretary of Homeland Security to at least check if Romero was still alive. She refused, saying it wasn’t her responsibility.
The U.S. government has deported not only undocumented immigrants but also legal residents, refugees, and even U.S. citizens, as part of its harsh immigration policy. One person deported was a Harvard researcher—over frog embryos.
Pope Leo’s message about treating immigrants with compassion continues the work of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Francis was known for opposing Trump’s immigration plans, including the proposed border wall. He once said that building walls instead of bridges goes against Christian values.
Leo’s message also clashed with recent actions by Republican lawmakers in the U.S., who are trying to cut nearly $900 billion from healthcare and social support programs to make room for tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. Many poor people could lose their health insurance if these cuts go through.
Pope Leo reminded everyone that no matter our situation—whether we’re healthy or sick, employed or not, living in our home country or far away—our value doesn’t change. He said everyone deserves to be treated with love and respect, because we are all created by God.
Even though Trump’s pick for ambassador to the Vatican wasn’t present for the Pope’s speech, U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to attend the Pope’s official inaugural Mass on Sunday.
