Pope Leo Delivers Blunt Message To U.S. Bishops On Trump’s Immigration Policies
Vatican City witnessed a significant meeting on Wednesday as Pope Leo met with U.S. bishops, emphasizing the need to address the treatment of immigrants under the Trump administration’s strict policies. During the gathering, the pope was presented with dozens of letters from immigrants sharing their fears of deportation and the daily challenges they face, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Attendees, including El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz, described the pope as deeply concerned about these issues. “Our Holy Father … is very personally concerned about these matters,” Seitz said. “He expressed his desire that the U.S. Bishops’ Conference would speak strongly on this issue. It means a lot to all of us to know of his personal desire that we continue to speak out.”
The letters given to the pope highlighted the anxiety experienced by families living with uncertain legal status. One detailed the experience of a household with two undocumented members, expressing fear of leaving their home due to potential deportation. The letter, written in Spanish, implored the pope to “speak out openly against the raids and the unfair treatment the community is experiencing.”
While Pope Leo, elected in May, has generally maintained a more reserved approach compared to his predecessor, he has increasingly addressed immigration concerns in recent weeks. On September 30, he publicly questioned whether the Trump administration’s anti-immigration measures aligned with the Catholic Church’s pro-life teachings — remarks that sparked strong reactions from some conservative Catholics.