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Pope Leo rejects ‘open borders’ but calls for humane immigration treatment

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Pope Leo XIV rejected the idea that he or the Catholic Church supported “open borders” but still agreed with Catholic bishops that the United States was not treating immigrants properly.

Meeting with journalists in front of his villa in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo was asked about his thoughts on the recently held US Conference of Catholic Bishops. “Special pastoral message on immigration”

In this special announcement, the conference argued that immigrants, like all people, are created in the image of God and therefore have human dignity. But they also said, “We recognize that nations have a responsibility to regulate their borders and establish a fair and orderly system of migration in the public interest.” They also added: “Without such processes, migrants face the risk of trafficking and other forms of exploitation. Safe and legal routes serve as an antidote to such risks.”

The bishops also noted: “We oppose indiscriminate mass deportations of people. We pray for an end to inhumane rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or law enforcement.”

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A U.S. Border Patrol agent speaks with Central American migrants at the border fence. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Pope Leo echoed this sentiment and called for compassion for immigrants and a certain level of respect for the laws of nations.

“I especially invite all Catholics, but people of good will, to listen carefully to what they say. I think we need to look for ways to treat people humanely, to treat people with the dignity they have.” he said. “If people are entering the United States illegally, there are ways to treat that. There are courts. There’s a justice system, I think there’s a lot of problems with the system. Nobody said the borders of the United States should be open. I think every country has the right to decide who people can enter, how and when.”

“But while people are living good lives, and many of them have been treated very disrespectfully for 10, 15, 20 years, and unfortunately there has been some violence… I think the bishops have been very clear in what they’ve said, and I think I would encourage all people in the United States to listen to them,” he added.

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Pope Leo XIV argued that immigrants should be treated humanely, but that the laws of nations should be respected. (Simone Risoluti – Vatican Pool/Vatican Media via Getty Images)

CatholicVote was praised The pope said this, arguing that this was a succinct expression of Catholic teaching that both the humanity of immigrants should be respected and that immigrants should respect the laws and culture of the nations they visit.

The same organization also published an article about the bishops’ initial statement, noting: “Despite what some Church leaders in America have stated, a faithful Catholic can support the enforcement of strong and humane immigration laws, including through physical barriers, detention, and deportation, without violating the Church’s teaching.”

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