Last year, during my trip to the Vatican, I found myself in tears.
It wasn’t the Pope who moved me, and I didn’t shed a tear while praying in St. Peter’s Cathedral, even though the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling was breathtaking. Instead, my emotions surfaced as I stared at bronze sculptures in St. Peter’s Square.
One sculpture captures a boat brimming with migrants—representing those who have risked everything. It brings to mind moments in history: Jews escaping the Nazis, Cubans fleeing communism, and my own mother departing Panama in the 1950s, seeking a better future for her children through education.
This piece is titled “Angels Unawares.” Its name draws inspiration from the New Testament, urging Christians to embrace strangers, as outlined in Hebrews 13:2.
Pope Francis initiated this sculpture project in 2019 as a permanent display at the Vatican. He expressed hope that it would “remind everyone of the evangelical challenge of hospitality.”
This sentiment aligns with remarks he made during his 2015 speech to Congress, where he urged lawmakers to reconsider their “thinking of hostility” toward refugees and immigrants, acknowledging past mistakes.
Since then, Francis’s pro-immigrant stance has made him a target for right-wing politicians and commentators who vilify immigrants to stoke fear as a campaign strategy.
After Francis’s passing, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) shared a post on X, declaring, “A major change in global leadership has occurred. Evil is defeated by the hands of God.” Notably, a conservative radio figure had previously labeled Francis as espousing “pure Marxism.”
The same criticism is likely to be directed at the newly appointed Pope Leo XIV. He has previously shared his thoughts online, criticizing Trump-era policies and emphasizing the dignity of all individuals.
Before his papacy, Leo XIV used his social media to weigh in on U.S. immigration, stating, “JD Vance is mistaken. Jesus doesn’t rank our love for others.”
In the U.S., there are about 53 million Catholics, representing roughly 20% of all adults. A recent Pew Research poll indicated that 78% of Catholics viewed Pope Francis positively. Additionally, over 40% of American Catholics are either immigrants or children of immigrants.
The proponents of the new Pope, alongside the former Pope, find support for their views among many Americans. Even after the 2024 presidential elections, polls revealed that attitudes toward immigrants and refugees haven’t drastically shifted.
In Congress today, about 28% are Catholic, while six out of nine Supreme Court justices identify as such.
Recent polls indicate a notable portion of Americans believe the administration is being “too tough” on both illegal immigrants and those seeking asylum. These views contrast with the notion that the approach is lenient.
Data from the Washington Post exit survey showed Trump won the Catholic vote in 2024, leading by a margin of 15 points.
Although many Americans oppose certain immigration policies, polls reveal support for a balanced approach to migration that emphasizes fairness and humanity.
A recent book, “The Truth About Immigration,” argues that 25% of new American companies have immigrant founders, with immigrants being significantly more likely to launch businesses compared to native-born individuals.
“The key takeaway,” the author argues, counters the prevalent view of immigrants as societal burdens.
Despite these messages, Trump’s hardline stance remains unaltered. Likewise, both Pope Francis and the newly appointed Pope Leo have encountered criticism from conservative circles.
Recently, Trump appeared mockingly in papal attire on social media, which didn’t garner universal laughter, as noted by the New York State Catholic Conference.
Trump and other right-leaning politicians have largely ignored the teachings of Pope Francis on immigration, choosing to stand against his calls for inclusivity.
It’s evident that opposers of Francis’s teachings may feel disheartened, particularly as the new Pope steps into the spotlight.
Pope Francis had established significant influence, which remains a point of contention in contemporary discussions.
