Can Pope Leo XIV influence the nation’s immigration debate?

CHICAGO — As the first pope from the United States and a dual citizen of America and Peru, Pope Leo XIV — a native of the Windy City — is emerging as a symbol of hope for those seeking a more compassionate approach to immigration, standing in sharp contrast to President Donald Trump’s divisive policies.

Despite their global influence, Leo and Trump represent starkly different visions. As Trump does everything in his power to deliver on his campaign promise of mass deportations, the newly elected pope sent another message to the world when he chose his papal name.

By choosing Leo XIV, the pope made a deliberate nod to Pope Leo XIII, a champion of Catholic social teaching and a defender of human dignity during the Industrial Revolution. The choice reflects a commitment to justice and equality, echoing the struggles of workers and immigrants.

“That’s Catholic social teaching,” which was founded by Pope Leo XIII over a century ago, said Father Brendan Curran, who like Pope Leo XIV grew up on the South Side of Chicago.

Catholic social teaching affirms the right of individuals to migrate in pursuit of safety and a dignified life. It also acknowledges that no country is obligated to accept every individual who seeks to resettle there, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Nonetheless, nations are called to regulate their borders “with justice and mercy.”

This last principle underscores the tension created by the Trump administration, which has terminated a number of legal immigration programs, such as the original CBP One app, refugee programs and temporary protected status — and is now fast-tracking deportations, raising questions around due process violations.

“That’s why his name is so important” Curran said, hoping this is the first step “at the world stage” to “consider the dignity of people first. And secondarily, details of policy that follow from their dignity.”

A first-generation immigrant of Irish descent, Curran works with The Resurrection Project, a grassroots advocacy organization formed by six local parishes 35 years ago to advocate for immigrant rights, health care and affordable housing in southwest Chicago.

Curran is optimistic that Leo XIV’s background will shape his immigration stance.

Born as Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Leo grew up in the vibrant immigrant community on the city’s South Side. His father, Louis Marius Prevost, was of French descent. And his mother, Mildred Martinez Prevost, was of Spanish heritage.

Before his papacy, Leo worked in Peru for more than two decades and became a naturalized Peruvian citizen in 2015. He started as a missionary, then became a priest and ultimately a bishop in the city of Chiclayo. He even helped build a shelter for migrants there and was praised in Peru for supporting Venezuelan immigrants fleeing the humanitarian crisis in their homeland.

“He was basically an American immigrant in Latin America,” said Evelin Maroldt, a Venezuelan immigrant of Polish and German heritage living in Chicago. “If he knows what that feels like, it may help us,” Maroldt said in Spanish, adding she now has “high expectations” for the new pope. “One of the things is more support for all the immigrants around the world who are struggling a lot.”

As she crafted her signature “café mandala” at a coffee shop in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood Saturday afternoon, Maroldt reminisced about witnessing Pope John Paul II’s visit to Venezuela when she was a toddler. As a Catholic, Maroldt hopes to witness another pope visit — this time, in Chicago.

Chicago became an epicenter of the nation’s immigration debate in 2022, when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott bused migrants here to create pressure for stricter border policies. With the sudden arrival of more than 50,000 migrants, city officials struggled to meet the demand for housing and social services while addressing criticism over the use of public funds to provide services for the newcomers.

For Peruvian immigrant Daniel Flores, Leo’s perspective could make him a strong advocate for immigrants and against Trump’s policies.

“This is a plight, not just of the U.S.,” Curran said about implementing humane immigration policies. “The open question of how we treat immigrants is a world conflict,” he said, adding that policies have repeatedly failed immigrants and “our peoples of the world.”

Balancing political views and the Catholic faith

Leo has yet to speak about his views on immigration since becoming pope last week. But past social media posts — some of which are critical of Trump and Vice President JD Vance — suggest he supports protecting immigrants. His brother John Prevost also told The New York Times he knows Leo is “not happy with what’s going on with immigration. I know that for a fact. How far he’ll go with it is only one’s guess, but he won’t just sit back. I don’t think he’ll be the silent one.”

Still, Trump expressed pride at having an American in charge at the Vatican.

Born in immigrant-rich Chicago and having served in South America, Leo brings “an important perspective” on immigration issues, Curran said. “It’s a sign of pride that immigrant peoples have formed the pope.”

As the first Augustinian friar to become pope, Leo’s immigration views may also reflect the core values of his religious order: community, charity and humility.

The contrast between Trump and the pope is almost “the perfect antithesis,” highlighting that Americans are not a monolith, Flores said. “It’s such a huge contrast.”

Flores, a trumpet player, was on his way to St. Procopius Catholic Church in Pilsen on Saturday afternoon to perform at a Mass honoring Mexico’s Virgin of Light. Since learning of Leo’s ties to both Chicago and Peru, he said, “I feel like we got a direct line, especially Peruvians in Chicago.”

Even after growing up in a traditional Catholic household, “I feel a lot closer to God now,” Flores said.

In Chicago, discussions about the new pope are shedding light on persistent divides within the U.S. Catholic Church — a challenge Leo is expected to tackle. These divisions mirror the nation’s broader political polarization over issues such as immigration and LGBTQ rights.

Overall, Catholics voted for Trump 59%-39% over Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, a 12-percentage point swing from 2020, according to Edison Research exit polls. The shift may reflect the influence of Trump-era culture wars on conservative media, coupled with the sway of the Catholic Church.

Some Catholics like sisters Kaitlyn and Megan Reznicek, both elementary school teachers from the western Chicago suburbs, view Leo as someone who could potentially soften stark divides.

“It’s sad to me that the papacy often, just like the church, can get so caught up in the divisive politics of the day,” Kaitlyn said. But having a pope that understands U.S. party politics while being more aware of what is happening internationally is crucial to uniting the Catholic Church, Megan said.

The sisters said their Catholic faith shapes their politics — conservative on abortion but progressive on the environment and immigration. Flores said his Catholic faith inspires him to be selfless, care for the less fortunate and support social programs — values that align more closely with progressive politics.

The pope’s brother even described the new pontiff as “middle of the road.” Leo’s own voting records show he participated in both Democratic and Republican primaries. While Leo appears to be in favor of protecting immigrants, he also opposed abortion and teachings on gender identity in schools during his time in Peru.

“He doesn’t fit into a particular mold,” Kaitlyn said of the pope. “That’s exactly the reality of the Catholic Church. We are not a political conservative group or a political leftist or a progressive group. But we are the Church of Christ.”

“I think he’s a testament to the universality of the church,” she added.