Pope Leo XIV Urges Catholics to Welcome Migrants, Sparks Debate

Pope Leo XIV has ignited controversy after calling on Catholics worldwide to embrace and support migrants, emphasizing compassion over indifference. Speaking to a crowd of 10,000 pilgrims from 95 countries at St. Peter’s Square, the US-born pontiff highlighted the moral duty of the Church to offer “consolation and hope” to those fleeing violence or seeking safe homes.

Born in Chicago and having spent decades as a missionary in Peru, Pope Leo’s life experience with marginalized communities has clearly shaped his stance. He became a naturalized Peruvian citizen in 2015, and his years in Latin America have informed his call for a “new missionary age” focused on hospitality, solidarity, and inclusion.

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“We must open our arms and hearts to them, welcoming them as brothers and sisters, and being for them a presence of consolation and hope,” he declared. The pope stressed that migrants should not face “the coldness of indifference or the stigma of discrimination,” framing immigration as both a humanitarian issue and an opportunity for cultural exchange that can enrich the Church.

Though he did not name the United States or former President Donald Trump, Pope Leo’s comments come in the wake of his recent criticism of US immigration policies. Last week, he questioned whether opposing abortion while supporting harsh immigration measures aligns with being truly pro-life — a statement that drew sharp criticism from conservative circles and MAGA supporters, who accused him of politicizing faith.

Despite backlash, Pope Leo’s message resonates with Catholics who see his vision as a return to core Christian values of love, compassion, and solidarity. By emphasizing human dignity over political divisions, he has positioned the Church as a moral guide in a polarized global debate on migration.