Pope Leo XIV, who was once Cardinal Robert Prevost, has been very clear about where he stands on immigration. He believes everyone should be treated with kindness and care—no matter where they come from. This has led to strong disagreements with U.S. leaders like Vice President JD Vance and former President Donald Trump.
JD Vance’s Words Don’t Match Church Teachings, Pope Suggests
Earlier in 2025, JD Vance gave a speech where he talked about “ordo amoris,” a Latin phrase that means “order of love.” Vance said people should first care about their own families and fellow citizens before helping strangers like immigrants.
But Pope Leo XIV didn’t agree with this idea. He believed that love shouldn’t be limited. As The Daily Beast reported, the pope liked and shared posts that pushed back on Vance’s speech. He stood by Pope Francis’s teaching that love should not depend on who someone is or where they’re from.
The Pope Criticized Trump’s Immigration Actions Too
Even before becoming pope, Leo XIV spoke out against Donald Trump’s immigration policies. He didn’t like how Trump treated people trying to come to the U.S. for safety or a better life.
As noted by the New York Post, Leo XIV shared many posts on social media that called Trump’s actions cruel—especially the separation of families at the border. He also worried about the treatment of Dreamers, young immigrants who grew up in the U.S. but don’t have legal status.
The Pope’s Message Is Simple: Love Everyone
Pope Leo XIV believes that caring for others—especially those who are struggling—is the heart of what it means to be Christian. That’s why he speaks up when leaders act in ways that go against that.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the pope has continued to remind the world that migrants and refugees deserve dignity, no matter where they are from. His actions show he takes that belief seriously.
How Pope Leo XIV might handle politics, immigration
A Pope for Compassion
The message from Pope Leo XIV is clear: being kind and welcoming to all people matters. No law or political view should come before the command to love our neighbors—wherever they are from.