ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV urged labor union leaders from Chicago on Thursday to advocate for immigrants and welcome minorities into their ranks, weighing in as the Trump administration's crackdown on immigrants intensifies in the pontiff’s hometown.
“While recognizing that appropriate policies are necessary to keep communities safe, I encourage you to continue to advocate for society to respect the human dignity of the most vulnerable,” Leo said.
The audience was scheduled before the deployment of National Guard troops to protect federal property in the Chicago area, including a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building that has been the site of occasional clashes between protesters and federal agents.
Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, who accompanied the labor leaders, stated that Leo was well aware of the situation on the ground. He emphasized that the Pope has consistently made it clear that migrants and the poor must be treated in ways that respect their human dignity.
“I really didn’t have to tell him much at all, because he seemed to have a handle on what was going on,” Cupich told the AP afterward.
He said that Leo had urged U.S. bishops in particular to “speak with one voice” on the issue. Cupich expects that the upcoming November meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will prioritize immigration as a top agenda item, stating, “This has to be front and center right now. This is the issue of the day. And we can’t dance around it.”
Catholic leaders in the U.S. have denounced the administration’s crackdown, which has split families and incited fears of deportations.
He (Leo) wants us to make sure, as bishops, that we speak out on behalf of the undocumented or anybody who’s vulnerable to preserve their dignity,” Cupich remarked, reinforcing the shared human dignity that unites all individuals.
