Pope Leo Slams Trump-Era Treatment of Migrants as Disrespectful

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday criticised the Trump administration’s handling of migrants, calling its approach “extremely disrespectful.” He made the remarks during an interview, stressing that while countries can manage their borders, they must treat people with basic dignity.

The pope said many immigrants living in the United States “live good lives” but were subjected to treatment that failed to respect their humanity. His comments add to a series of recent statements in which he has openly challenged the tone and tactics of Trump-era immigration policy.

In September, Pope Leo described the treatment of migrants in the U.S. as “inhuman,” prompting pushback from some conservative Catholic groups. Despite this, he has continued to address the issue, urging the Church and political leaders to keep migrant welfare at the centre of policy decisions.

• Pope Leo XIV condemns Trump-era migrant treatment as disrespectful
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• Pope urges humane, dignity-driven policies in America’s migrant debate

During the interview, he also referred to a November 13 statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which criticised the current direction of U.S. immigration policy and called for comprehensive reform. The pope said he welcomed the bishops’ position and encouraged Americans to reflect on it.

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Pope Leo added that while national security is a legitimate concern, it cannot override the need for humane treatment. His remarks come amid ongoing political debate in the United States, where immigration remains a central and divisive issue.