Pope Leo XIV Issues His Harshest Criticism of Donald Trump
Pope Leo XIV has called for a "deep reflection" on the treatment of migrants in the United States, noting that many people have been severely affected by the controversial policy of mass deportations. This was reported by the BBC on its website on Friday.
In what constitutes one of his most vehement criticisms of President Donald Trump's administration to date, the first American pope in history also warned that the bombing of Venezuelan ships suspected of carrying drugs by the United States could escalate tensions in the region.
Speaking in front of a crowd of cameras at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV agreed to answer "one or two questions". He stated that in the United States, "people who have been settled for years, without ever causing problems, have been deeply affected" by Trump's uncompromising immigration policy.
Addressing the American public directly in English, the pontiff reminded everyone of the Catholic belief that every Christian will ultimately be judged on how they welcomed "the stranger".
"I was struck by the clarity of his reference: he is obviously talking about the ICE raids," commented Catholic historian Austen Ivereigh to the BBC, referring to the American immigration enforcement agency.
"This is a very strong statement."
Since his election last May, Pope Leo had been quite cautious on geopolitical issues. However, last month, he described Washington's crackdown as "inhumane," shocking American conservative Catholics who had welcomed the arrival of the "American pope".
These individuals had hoped to find an ally in him following a tense relationship with his predecessor, Francis, who had declared that Donald Trump "was not a Christian" for building a wall at the Mexican border.
"They now realize that Leo will not change the Church's doctrine to please them," explains Ivereigh.
"He differs from Francis in style, not in substance: the message and priorities remain the same."
Born in Chicago, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo, spent much of his life as a missionary in Peru, an experience that has profoundly shaped his worldview.
"This is a personal issue for him," notes Professor Anna Rowlands from Durham University.
"He has lived in countries affected by these policies and has himself been welcomed as a migrant. In a sense, he has been a migrant bishop."
In his first major document published last month, Pope Leo asserted that fighting poverty and addressing immigration issues would remain at the heart of his papacy — a message he reiterated during a recent meeting at the Vatican with American bishops.
"Leo offers a wholly orthodox response to the migration issue," emphasizes Professor Rowlands, "in line with the Church’s tradition," recalling over a century of teaching on protecting families and respecting their spiritual needs.
The pope also insisted on this point when questioned about a detention center near Chicago, where Catholic migrants were reportedly denied communion.
"I urge the authorities to allow chaplains and pastoral workers to meet the spiritual needs of these individuals," he stated.
Regarding Venezuela, the pontiff called for dialogue and calming tensions, denouncing the American policy of destroying ships and executing crews.
"Violence solves nothing. With violence, we will not win," he said in Italian,
adding that the increased presence of American warships off the coast of Venezuela "fuels tensions" rather than "defending peace".
Six months after his surprise election, the outlines of Leo XIV's papacy are becoming clearer. His commitment to transparency — including meeting the press at Castel Gandolfo, a place shunned by Francis — contrasts with the practices of his predecessors, who were often inaccessible outside official trips.
"When the pope speaks so firmly, it exerts real pressure on the American administration — especially on Catholics close to power," emphasizes Mr. Ivereigh.
"So far, Leo has avoided being drawn into the Trump machine. Perhaps he is taking that risk today."
Source: BBC