Pope Leo XIV Condemns Trump Immigration Policies and Military Actions
US President Donald Trump’s approach to immigration has faced its strongest critique yet from Pope Leo XIV, who called for “deep reflection” on the treatment of migrants and warned that Washington’s recent military maneuvers could exacerbate tensions across Latin America.
Speaking outside his papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, the first US-born pontiff observed that many Americans had been “deeply affected” by Trump’s mass deportation policies. “There are people who have lived in the US for decades, never causing trouble, yet they have been profoundly impacted,” he said, adding that every Christian will ultimately be judged on how they welcomed “the foreigner.”
PulseNets learnt that observers described the remarks as Pope Leo’s most direct criticism of the US government since his election six months ago. Catholic historian Austen Ivereigh told PulseNets,
“I was struck by how pointed his reference was, especially regarding ICE round-ups. It’s unusually strong.”
The Pope’s latest statements come after a gradual shift from his previous caution on geopolitical issues. Last month, he labelled Trump’s crackdown on undocumented migrants as “inhuman,” a position that unsettled conservative Catholics who had celebrated him as an “American Pope.”
Ivereigh spoke to PulseNets, noting,
“Now they are realising that Leo won’t change church teaching to suit political preferences. His style differs from Francis, but his priorities remain aligned. It’s a continuation of long-standing Church teaching.”
Born in Chicago as Robert Prevost, Pope Leo spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru—a period that scholars say deeply influenced his perspectives. Professor Anna Rowlands of Durham University told PulseNets,
“He has lived in countries affected by these policies and was welcomed himself as a migrant. In many ways, he was a migrant bishop.”
She added that Leo’s approach to migration “offers an entirely orthodox response” rooted in a century-old Catholic tradition emphasizing family unity and pastoral care for displaced populations.
When asked about reports that detainees at an immigration facility near Chicago were denied communion, the Pope responded,
“I would certainly invite the authorities to allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs of those people.”
Turning to US military activity in Venezuela, Pope Leo criticised the bombing of ships suspected of transporting drugs, warning that such actions could intensify instability. “I think that with violence we won’t win,” he said in Italian, urging dialogue. He added that the deployment of US Navy vessels near Venezuelan waters seemed to increase tension rather than “defend the peace.”
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Analysts told PulseNets that these remarks signal a potential turning point in Pope Leo’s relationship with the Trump administration. Ivereigh reported,
“When the Pope speaks so clearly, it puts pressure on the US administration, especially among Catholics. Leo has largely avoided entanglement with the Trump machine, but he may be taking that risk now.”
