In a week marked by heightened tension over immigration policy in the United States, Pope Leo XIV used his global platform to urge Chicago’s labor union leaders to stand up for immigrants and to welcome minorities into their ranks. The meeting, held on October 9, 2025, at the Vatican, came just as the Trump administration intensified its crackdown on immigrants in Chicago—Pope Leo’s own hometown—prompting both hope and anxiety among those caught in the crossfire.
"While recognizing that appropriate policies are necessary to keep communities safe, I encourage you to continue to advocate for society to respect the human dignity of the most vulnerable," Pope Leo XIV told the assembled union leaders, as reported by the Associated Press. The pontiff’s words landed at a moment when the city of Chicago was bracing for the deployment of National Guard troops, assigned to protect federal property including a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building that has become a flashpoint for protests and confrontations between activists and federal agents.
Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, who traveled with the labor delegation, emphasized that Pope Leo XIV was acutely aware of the realities on the ground back home. In an interview with the Associated Press, Cupich said, "I really didn’t have to tell him much at all, because he seemed to have a handle on what was going on." The cardinal added that Pope Leo had specifically urged U.S. bishops to "speak with one voice" on immigration, signaling the Vatican’s expectation for unified moral leadership at a time of deep division.
This message of unity and advocacy comes as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops prepares for its November 2025 meeting, where Cupich expects immigration to be the top agenda item. "This has to be front and center right now. This is the issue of the day. And we can’t dance around it," Cupich insisted, highlighting the urgency many church leaders feel as families are separated and fears of deportation ripple through immigrant communities.
The Trump administration, for its part, has defended its actions as necessary to safeguard public safety and national security. Yet Catholic leaders across the country have denounced the crackdown, pointing to the human cost of policies that have split up families and left many uncertain about their future. According to Cupich, "He [Leo] wants us to make sure, as bishops, that we speak out on behalf of the undocumented or anybody who’s vulnerable to preserve their dignity. We all have to remember that we all share a common dignity as human beings."
Pope Leo’s advocacy for immigrants is not a new development, but his recent actions have underscored his commitment. Just last week, he defended Cardinal Cupich’s decision to honor Illinois Senator Dick Durbin for his work on behalf of immigrants. The move was controversial among some conservative U.S. bishops, who objected due to Durbin’s support for abortion rights, and ultimately, the senator declined the award. Nevertheless, Pope Leo’s support for the gesture sent a clear signal about his priorities.
This was not the only recent instance of the pontiff engaging directly with the realities of U.S. immigration policy. On October 8, 2025, El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz brought Pope Leo letters from desperate immigrant families, offering a firsthand account of the struggles facing those affected by the administration’s crackdown. It was the second meeting in as many days where the pope heard directly from American church leaders on the front lines of the immigration crisis.
Adding a lighter note to his otherwise serious schedule, Pope Leo also greeted a group of Chicago schoolchildren during his general audience on October 8. The children, who had staged their own "mock conclave" at school earlier that year (a playful reenactment that went viral online), arrived at the Vatican dressed as cardinals, Swiss Guards, and even the pope himself. The encounter, though brief, highlighted the pope’s deep roots in Chicago and his ongoing connection to the city’s diverse communities.
For many, Pope Leo’s intervention comes at a critical juncture. The deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago, particularly to protect the ICE building, has heightened tensions and raised questions about the balance between public safety and civil liberties. The building itself has been the site of repeated clashes between protesters—many advocating for immigrant rights—and federal agents. The decision to bring in the National Guard underscores the seriousness of the administration’s approach, but it has also fueled concerns among those who see the crackdown as a threat to the city’s longstanding tradition of welcoming newcomers.
The pope’s appeal to labor unions is especially significant given their historical role in supporting immigrant workers and advocating for social justice. By urging union leaders to open their doors to minorities and immigrants, Pope Leo is calling on some of Chicago’s most influential institutions to take a stand at a moment when many feel vulnerable. His message resonates not only with Catholic leaders but also with a broader coalition of activists, faith groups, and community organizations working to defend immigrant rights.
Yet the road ahead is anything but clear. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops faces internal divisions, as demonstrated by the controversy over honoring Senator Durbin. Some bishops remain wary of aligning too closely with political figures whose stances on other issues, such as abortion, conflict with church teaching. Navigating these tensions will require both moral clarity and a willingness to engage in difficult conversations—a challenge Pope Leo seems determined to meet head-on.
As the November bishops’ meeting approaches, all eyes will be on whether the U.S. Catholic hierarchy can indeed "speak with one voice" on immigration, as Pope Leo has urged. The stakes are high: for families facing separation, for communities grappling with fear and uncertainty, and for a nation wrestling with questions of identity and justice.
For now, Pope Leo XIV’s message is unmistakable: the dignity of the most vulnerable must not be forgotten, even—and especially—when the political winds are blowing in the opposite direction.