Pope Leo XIV says ‘inhuman remedy of immigrants’ within the U.S. is not ‘pro-life’

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV weighed in on U.S. politics, saying that Catholic politicians should be judged on the complete vary of their coverage positions and suggesting that the nation’s remedy of immigrants is “inhuman.”

“Someone who says I’m against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life,” Pope Leo mentioned. “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.”

The remarks signify the primary American pope’s first foray as pontiff into his native nation’s pitched debates over abortion, immigration and the Catholic Church’s function in civil society.

White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was requested concerning the Pope’s feedback on Wednesday.

“I would reject there is inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the United States under this administration,” Leavitt informed reporters on the White Home. “There was, however, significant, inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the previous administration as they were being trafficked and raped and beaten, in many cases killed over our United States southern border.”

Earlier than he was elected Pope on Could 8, Leo — then referred to as Cardinal Robert Prevost — shared articles on social media that had been vital of the Trump administration’s rhetoric and insurance policies on immigration.

A papal press gaggle

The Pope’s temporary remarks got here in response to questions from reporters who gathered outdoors of his summer time residence in Castel Gandolfo on Tuesday night.

One reporter requested the Chicago-born pontiff concerning the controversy over plans to honor Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin with a lifetime achievement award by a Catholic establishment — regardless of the Illinois lawmaker’s help for abortion rights.

Leo mentioned he wasn’t “very familiar with the case,” however he mentioned the award was a recognition of Durbin’s “overall work” throughout greater than 40 years of service in Congress.

“I understand the difficulty and the tensions. But I think as I myself have spoken in the past, it’s important to consider many issues related to the teaching of the Church,” mentioned Leo.

The pope urged folks concerned within the U.S. — and his native state of Illinois — to “have respect for one another” whereas reminding trustworthy that the educating of the Catholic Church on these points is “very clear.”

On Sept. 22, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich introduced he could be presenting Durbin with the award on the upcoming Maintain Hope Alive gala in acknowledgment of Durbin’s help for migrants.

Critics, together with Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, the place Durbin lives, condemned the award due to the senator’s previous help for abortion rights. Paprocki has denied Communion for Durbin since 2004.

Durbin, whose fifth time period within the Senate ends in January of 2027, has mentioned that he won’t search re-election.

Shortly after the pope’s remarks, Cupich issued an announcement saying Durbin has declined to obtain the award.

“While I am saddened by this news, I respect his decision,” wrote the cardinal, who confused that the award was in recognition of “his unwavering support of immigrants, which is so needed in our day.”

Cupich additionally lamented the rising partisan divide throughout the U.S., which he mentioned leaves Catholics “politically homeless.” Whereas church educating bars honoring politicians who help insurance policies opposite to Catholic doctrine, he mentioned no chief persistently embodies Catholic social educating.

“Total condemnation is not the way forward, for it shuts down discussion,” the cardinal mentioned.

This story was produced by a collaboration between NPR and Faith Information Service.