Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, has grown more outspoken six months into his papacy, urging a “deep reflection” on how immigrants are treated in the United States and calling for respect for detainees' spiritual rights. Speaking in English to reach American audiences directly, he criticized what he described as the “inhuman” treatment of migrants, prompting pushback from the White House and assurances from DHS. Observers note Leo combines continuity with Pope Francis on issues like poverty, migration and climate change while adding an American inflection to Vatican life. He faces key U.S. church appointments and will make his first foreign trip to Turkey and Lebanon from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2.
Six Months In: Pope Leo XIV Brings an American Voice — and a Moral Challenge on Immigration
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, has grown more outspoken six months into his papacy, urging a “deep reflection” on how immigrants are treated in the United States and calling for respect for detainees' spiritual rights. Speaking in English to reach American audiences directly, he criticized what he described as the “inhuman” treatment of migrants, prompting pushback from the White House and assurances from DHS. Observers note Leo combines continuity with Pope Francis on issues like poverty, migration and climate change while adding an American inflection to Vatican life. He faces key U.S. church appointments and will make his first foreign trip to Turkey and Lebanon from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2.
19:43, 08.11.2025Politics
Six months in, Pope Leo XIV raises U.S. immigration concerns
Pope Leo XIV, the Chicago-born pontiff who marked six months since his election on May 8, has in recent weeks sharpened his public critique of U.S. immigration policy while bringing a distinctly American tone to the papacy.
After a cautious start to his papacy, Leo has begun speaking more directly about policies and practices that concern him. Standing outside the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, he called for a “deep reflection” on how immigrants have been treated in the United States in recent months under President Donald Trump.
“Many people who have lived for years, and years and years, never causing problems, have been deeply affected by what’s going on right now,” Leo told reporters.
Speaking in English to ensure his remarks reached an American audience, the pope invoked Christian teaching that believers will be judged by how they treated “the foreigner.” He also appealed to authorities to respect the “spiritual rights” of people held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in his home state of Illinois, responding to reports that priests and pastoral workers had been prevented from bringing communion to detainees.
Continuity with Francis, plus an American inflection
Though Leo’s manner is more reserved and formal than his predecessor’s, he has sustained several of Pope Francis’ priorities — notably poverty, migration and climate change — and champions the synodality project aimed at making the Church more inclusive and participatory. Leo spent decades in Peru as a missionary, retains close ties there and holds Peruvian citizenship, which underlines the continuity with Francis’ global outlook even as Leo brings his American background to the Vatican stage.
“His front-burner issues seem to be poverty, migration, climate change, and he’s a big champion of the project of synodality started by Francis,” said Christopher White, author and senior fellow at Georgetown University. White added that Leo “isn’t looking for a fight — with Trump or anyone” but holds clear “moral red lines,” particularly on migrants’ treatment.
Reaction at home and in Washington
After the pope’s comments, a White House spokesman told Reuters that President Trump was elected on promises to deport “criminal illegal aliens” and is keeping his commitments. The Department of Homeland Security said those held by ICE were being kept in humane conditions.
Observers in the U.S. say Leo’s interventions are significant for American Catholics. Kim Daniels of Georgetown’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life described the pope as “a forceful and direct counterweight to the Trump administration’s ‘inhuman treatment of immigrants,’” while emphasizing that Leo speaks as a moral and spiritual leader rather than as a partisan actor. Church historian Massimo Faggioli said US bishops will welcome the pope’s direct engagement on immigration.
American touches at the Vatican
Leo’s American background and native English have manifested in small, familiar cultural touches. A devoted Chicago White Sox fan, he has been given a White Sox cap, a baseball and NFL jerseys. On one occasion a box of Chicago-style pizza from Aurelio’s — a chain he used to visit in Homewood, Illinois — was hand-delivered to the popemobile.
Looking ahead
U.S. bishops will meet Nov. 10–13 in Baltimore to elect new leaders for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In coming months, Leo is expected to name a successor to Cardinal Timothy Dolan as archbishop of New York. The pope has urged U.S. bishops to develop a “stronger, more united voice” on issues such as immigration, saying the Church “cannot remain silent.”
Later this month, Leo will make his first foreign trip as pope, visiting Turkey and Lebanon from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2, where he is expected to emphasize peace in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the Church is observing a Jubilee year, drawing more pilgrims and keeping the Vatican schedule busy as Leo settles into his role.
Context: Since his election, Pope Leo XIV has balanced continuity with Francis’ priorities and a more distinctly American public presence, prompting both praise and criticism at home and abroad as he navigates pastoral responsibilities and high-profile policy debates.