Pope Leo XIV used his first U.S. national television interviews to praise America’s tradition of welcoming immigrants and to criticize harsh migration policies without naming President Trump directly. He cited his personal family history—immigrants on one side and both slaves and slave owners on the other—to underline his view of human dignity. The pope urged U.S. bishops to defend migrants, defended his advocacy for peace and multilateral dialogue, and said a U.S. visit is under consideration but not yet scheduled.
Pope Leo XIV Criticizes U.S. Immigration Policies in First National TV Interview
Pope Leo, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, said Wednesday his favorite thing about the US was its historic principle of inviting foreigners to be part of the country (AFP/Getty)
Pope Leo XIV used a rare appearance on national U.S. television to criticize immigration policies he described as at odds with America’s long-standing commitment to welcoming newcomers. Speaking with NBC News and Noticias Telemundo, the Chicago-born pontiff framed his remarks around human dignity, compassion and the United States’ tradition of opportunity.
Key Remarks From the Interviews
"My grandparents were immigrants," Pope Leo XIV told NBC's Nightly News in his first interview with a national U.S. broadcaster. "On my mother's side, we have people who were both slaves and slave owners... one of the greatest wealths of the United States."
As the first American to serve as pope, Pope Leo has repeatedly criticized what he called the Trump administration's "inhumane" treatment of migrants and has urged U.S. bishops to defend immigrants' rights. In a recent letter marking the United States' 250th anniversary, he wrote that to "receive (immigrants) with compassion and generosity is not only an act of charity, but also a recognition of the dignity that belongs to every human person."
The pope has also condemned aggressive threats toward other nations, citing interventions in places such as Venezuela and Iran and saying it is unacceptable for a leader to threaten the destruction of a civilization. Those public positions have drawn criticism from President Trump, who this year labeled the pope "weak on crime," accused him of "catering to the left," and made insinuations about the pope's rise.
Pope Leo has encouraged Catholic leaders in the US to stand with migrants in the face of harsh anti-immigration policies (Reuters)
Pope Leo responded that he has "no fear" of the Trump administration and intends to continue preaching inclusion, hospitality, dialogue and peace. He clarified that his comments were meant to reflect his pastoral role—opposing war, promoting multilateral relationships and defending the dignity of migrants—rather than as personal attacks.
When asked whether he would visit the United States, the pope said he was "looking at his calendar" and hoped to come soon, though no visit is scheduled. In a brief conversation with Noticias Telemundo he addressed migrants directly in Spanish: "Tengan esperanza... Debemos aprender a vivir en paz, pero también tener el coraje y la esperanza que siempre nos ayudan a todos." ("Have hope... We must learn to live in peace and also have the courage and the hope that help us all.")
Why it matters: The interviews underscore how a high-profile religious leader is shaping public debate on migration and human dignity in the United States, reinforcing calls for compassionate policy and testing relations between the Vatican and the White House.
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