top of page
Caring for the Immigrant
What the pope says about...
As the first American pope and a man who spent more than twenty years as a missionary and bishop among the poor of Peru, Pope Leo brings lived experience to his moral convictions on caring for the immigrant. He has consistently argued that immigrants carry inherent human dignity that must be respected regardless of their legal status — and he has not hesitated to challenge U.S. government policies by name. He has called the current treatment of immigrants in the United States “inhumane” and “extremely disrespectful,” while also acknowledging that nations have a legitimate right to manage their borders through lawful processes.
In his first major apostolic document, “Dilexi Te,” he placed migrants at the heart of the Church’s mission, writing that “in every rejected migrant, it is Christ himself who knocks at the door.” He has been especially pointed in challenging Catholics who claim a pro-life identity while supporting harsh immigration enforcement, arguing that a truly pro-life commitment cannot be selective. He has urged all U.S. Catholics — and people of goodwill — to listen carefully to the U.S. Bishops’ strong pastoral message opposing mass deportations and dehumanizing rhetoric.
Statement by Pope Leo on the Inhumane Treatment of Migrants
— Vatican city, November 2025
In their first Special Message in 12 years, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops sounded the alarm on the growing climate of fear, profiling, and family separation facing immigrant communities across America — a sign that the dignity of immigrants has become a moral emergency. The Bishops are clear that human dignity and national security are not in conflict: both can be upheld through policies that are just, orderly, and compassionate. Immigrants have strengthened our nation and our parishes for generations; they are our neighbors, coworkers, and friends, each bearing the image of God. The Bishops firmly reject mass deportation and dehumanizing rhetoric, reminding us that every person is a child of God, deserving of respect, protection, and the love Christ calls us to show.
What the Catholic Church Teaches on Immigration
a special message on immigration by the Us conference of catholic bishops
I believe we must seek ways of treating people with humanity, with the dignity that is theirs.”
— Pope leo, Vatican city, November 2025
"When people are living good lives - and many of them (in the United States) for 10, 15, 20 years - to treat them in a way that is extremely disrespectful, to say the least, is not acceptable."
— Pope Leo, Vatican city, November 2025
"Someone who says I'm against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life. And someone who says I'm against abortion but I'm in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don't know if that's pro-life."
— Pope Leo, Vatican city, November 2025
bottom of page
