Pope Leo XIV Says ‘Inhuman Treatment of Immigrants’ in the U.S. Isn’t ‘Pro-Life’

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.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about the Pope’s comments on Wednesday.

“I would reject there is inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the United States under this administration,” Leavitt told reporters at the White House. “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.”

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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