Pope Leo XIV says 'inhuman treatment of immigrants' in the U.S. isn't 'pro-life' [View all]

Source: NPR

Pope Leo XIV weighed in on U.S. politics, saying that Catholic politicians must be judged on the full range of their policy positions and suggesting that the country's treatment 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 said. "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 represent the first American pope's first foray as pontiff into his native country's pitched debates over abortion, immigration and the Catholic Church's role in civil society.

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Before he was elected Pope on May 8, Leo — then known as Cardinal Robert Prevost — shared articles on social media that were critical of the Trump administration's rhetoric and policies on immigration.

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Read more: https://www.npr.org/2025/10/01/nx-s1-5560169/pope-leo-xiv-says-inhuman-treatment-of-immigrants-in-the-u-s-isnt-pro-life