New Pope Leo XIV Critiques Deportation Policies

Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8, 2025, and has been vocal about his criticisms of President Donald Trump’s deportation policies, particularly concerning the Salvador regime. He also advocates for stricter gun control measures.

Among his pointed remarks, the Pope expressed disapproval of the deportation of Kilmer Abrego Garcia, labeled as part of a “terrorist group” by the Department of Justice.

In a related initiative, Trump designated MS-13 as a foreign terrorist organization on February 20, 2025, as part of a wider crackdown on various criminal groups.

In a recent tweet, Leo XIV highlighted concerns raised by an undocumented Salvadoran about the suffering caused by these policies, asking if authorities were aware of the distress they were causing.

The Pope also shared an article titled “JD Vance is wrong. Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.” from the National Catholic Reporter, which openly critiqued the Vice President’s views on love and faith.

Additionally, he circulated another old article from the Washington Post discussing Trump’s controversial rhetoric on immigration.

Pope Leo XIV, originally from Chicago, makes history as the first pope from the United States.

However, his election has rekindled allegations concerning mishandled sexual abuse cases dating back to 1998, when he served in leadership roles in the Midwest. Survivors and advocacy groups claim he ignored numerous complaints against a priest at Providence Catholic High School, allowing him to serve despite serious allegations.

Furthermore, in 2022, while serving as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, Leo was criticized for failing to investigate claims of abuse against one of his priests. This has raised ongoing concerns within the survivor community.

Sarah Pearson, a spokesperson for the advocacy group SNAP, stated, “Now that he’s the Pope, we have serious concerns. Allegations from three women warrant an investigation.”