Overview
- Speaking to reporters at Castel Gandolfo on Tuesday, the pope urged Americans to heed the bishops and to treat migrants with dignity through established courts and due process.
- He emphasized that countries retain the right to control who enters, clarifying he does not advocate open borders.
- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ rare special message—approved 216–5–3—opposes indiscriminate mass deportations and cites fear from raids, vilification of migrants, detention conditions, and loss of pastoral access.
- The remarks follow months of escalating papal criticism, reinforcing the bishops’ call to end dehumanizing rhetoric and to protect access to pastoral care for long-settled families.
- White House-aligned responses defended enforcement priorities, with border czar Tom Homan declaring the Church “wrong” and arguing secure borders save lives, as policy changes have allowed operations at sites like churches, schools, and hospitals.