VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday called on U.S. bishops to speak publicly about the human impact of renewed immigration enforcement in the United States, emphasizing the Church’s moral responsibility to accompany families living in fear of detention or deportation.

During a closed-door session at the Vatican, bishops from several border dioceses briefed the pontiff on conditions in their communities, according to reporting by Reuters. The Pope, who has maintained a cautious but steady voice on humanitarian policy, reportedly urged clergy to provide pastoral care “without political calculation” while defending the dignity of migrants.

Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso presented Pope Leo XIV with dozens of handwritten letters from families who described avoiding travel, work, or school events out of fear of arrest. In one, a mother wrote, in Spanish, that she and her husband had stopped attending Mass out of fear of getting stopped at a checkpoint. Pope Leo XIV thanked the bishop for bringing those testimonies forward and encouraged them to “keep the voices of the poor close to your homilies.”

The meeting followed weeks of renewed enforcement actions in multiple states under directives restoring Trump-era detention priorities. Federal officials insist operations target people with criminal convictions, but advocates and parish outreach workers say collateral arrests continue to unsettle entire neighborhoods. Legal-aid clinics, often run from church basements, have seen rising inquiries about work permits and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals.

Vatican analysts note that while the Holy See has no authority over U.S. law, papal remarks often shape the tone of national debates. Pope Leo, the first American-born pontiff, has approached immigration less through political critique and more through appeals to conscience, balancing respect for national sovereignty with insistence on human dignity. His latest comments reflect growing concern that border enforcement may be eroding trust between immigrant parishes and civil authorities.

Administration representatives in Washington defended the strategy, saying it seeks to “restore lawful order at the border” while maintaining humanitarian exceptions. Faith leaders counter that confusion about eligibility and fear of local cooperation with federal agents have hindered community policing and public-health outreach efforts.

For Catholics in the Southwest, the Vatican’s message could strengthen efforts to create parish “safe spaces” offering verified information and referrals rather than sheltering fugitives. Many dioceses already coordinate “Know Your Rights” workshops and assist DACA recipients preparing renewal packages.

The exchange also underscores the political tightrope many clergy face: supporting lawfulness while ministering to those most affected by enforcement. As immigration debates return to Congress, the Pope’s words may encourage bishops to act as mediators between policymakers and parish communities—reminding both that compassion and security are not mutually exclusive.

Readers seeking practical guidance can consult our in-depth resources:
DACA Explained,
Advance Parole Guide,
Know Your Rights,
Border Policy, and
ICE Oversight.