Overview
- Speaking at Castel Gandolfo, the Chicago-born pontiff called for “deep reflection” on U.S. treatment of migrants and pressed authorities to permit pastoral workers to serve people in detention.
- He emphasized that detainees’ “spiritual rights” must be considered, citing families kept apart and uncertainty over detainees’ situations.
- His remarks followed a Nov. 1 incident at the Broadview ICE facility near Chicago, where clergy including a Catholic bishop were refused entry to bring Communion, with officials citing safety concerns.
- Leo confirmed that a Church trial of ex-Jesuit Marko Rupnik has recently begun, voiced hope for clarity and justice, and noted that some Rupnik artwork has been covered or removed from websites.
- Addressing wider tensions, he criticized U.S. military moves near Venezuela as increasing strain and warned the Israel–Hamas ceasefire remains fragile, urging progress toward governance that safeguards the rights of all peoples; he is set to receive Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday.