Nigeria TV Info – Global News

Pope Leo XIV Criticizes US Deportation Policies, Warns on Latin America Tensions

VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo XIV has delivered his strongest critique to date of US President Donald Trump’s administration, calling for “deep reflection” on the treatment of migrants and cautioning that recent US military actions could heighten tensions in Latin America.

Speaking outside his papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, the first US-born pope emphasized that many people in the United States have been “deeply affected” by Trump’s mass deportation policies. He remarked, “There are people who have lived in the US for years and years never causing problems, who have been deeply affected,” and stressed that every Christian will be judged on how they treat “the foreigner.”

Observers have described the comments as Pope Leo’s most direct criticism of the US government since his election six months ago. Catholic historian Austen Ivereigh noted the Pope’s remarks specifically targeted ICE round-ups, calling the message “very strong” and unprecedented for a sitting pope.

The Pope’s statements come amid heightened scrutiny of US immigration policies and growing concern over military engagements in the Western Hemisphere, highlighting the Vatican’s ongoing commitment to advocating for human rights and compassion for migrants worldwide.