Pope Leo has addressed Catholics worldwide, criticizing Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th pontiff, succeeding Pope Francis in May.
The Pope, known for being the first North American pontiff, has openly discussed global issues such as climate change, the war in Ukraine, and the situation in Gaza.
He has criticized President Trump’s strict immigration stance and urged the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics to support immigrants.
Addressing thousands of pilgrims at Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope said immigrants should not face “the coldness of indifference or the stigma of discrimination.”
He urged Catholics to “open our arms and hearts to them, welcoming them as brothers and sisters, and being for them a presence of consolation and hope.”
On October 5, Pope Leo described the Church as entering “a new missionary age,” emphasizing the need to “welcome” migrants escaping violence.
“In the communities of ancient Christian tradition, such as those of the West, the presence of many brothers and sisters from the world’s South should be welcomed as an opportunity, through an exchange that renews the face of the Church,” he remarked.
Recently, the Pope criticized Trump’s immigration policies, particularly targeting pro-life Republicans.
“Someone who says ‘I am against abortion but I am in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States,’ I don’t know if that’s pro-life,” Pope Leo stated on September 30.
In the same discussion, he criticized supporters of the death penalty, a measure Trump is advocating in the U.S.
“Someone who says ‘I’m against abortion’ but is in favour of the death penalty is not really pro-life,” stated the Church leader.
The president introduced the death penalty in Washington D.C., as part of his crime strategy to “deter and punish the most heinous crimes in our Nation’s capital.”
“Capital punishment, capital city,” the president announced while signing the proclamation at the White House.