September 30, 2025
Pope Leo XIV says U.S. immigrant treatment is 'inhuman' and questions a narrow 'pro-life' label
First US-born pope criticizes home country's immigration policy
🛂ImmigrationðŸŽReligion & Culture✊Civil Rights
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, made the remarks to reporters outside Castel Gandolfo on Oct. 1, 2025.
He said, 'Someone who says I am against abortion but I am in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don't know if that's pro-life.'.
The Archdiocese of Chicago had planned a Nov. 3 immigration fundraiser honoring Sen. Dick Durbin, but Durbin declined the award after the controversy.
The White House response came from spokesperson Abigail Jackson, who framed the matter as the president keeping campaign promises and defended the administration's enforcement approach.
Several conservative U.S. bishops, including Bishop Thomas Paprocki, publicly objected to honoring Durbin and criticized the pope's intervention.
News outlets reported the Vatican's coverage of the exchange; reporters quoted the pope in Italian and in translation, characterizing his language as calling certain practices 'inhuman.'.
🛂ImmigrationðŸŽReligion & Culture✊Civil Rights
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Q1
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected Pope Leo XIV's characterization of "inhuman treatment" of immigrants under the Trump administration.
Q2
Where is Castel Gandolfo, and why is it significant in papal history?
Q3
What historical milestone did Pope Leo XIV achieve with his September 30 remarks?
Q4
Why did Cardinal Blase Cupich's decision to honor Senator Dick Durbin spark controversy?
Q5
Where did Pope Leo XIV spend most of his ministry before becoming pope?
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Pope Leo XIV
Pontiff; first U.S.-born pope
Abigail Jackson
White House spokesperson
Cardinal Blase Cupich
Archbishop of Chicago
Senator Dick Durbin
U.S. Senator (Illinois)