ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV called on Chicago labor leaders Thursday to stand up for immigrants and welcome minorities into their ranks against the Trump administration. immigration crackdown The situation intensifies even in the Pope’s hometown.
“We encourage you to continue to urge society to respect the human dignity of the most vulnerable, recognizing that appropriate policies are needed to keep communities safe,” Leo said.
The audience was scheduled before the National Guard was deployed to protect federal property. chicago areaincluding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building. It was a site Occasional clashes occur between protesters and federal officials.
Chicago Cardinal Blaise Cupich, who accompanied Labor leaders, said Leo was well aware of the situation on the ground. In an interview with The Associated Press, Cupich said Leo has made clear, including in recent statements, that immigrants and the poor should be treated with respect for their human dignity.
“I didn’t have to tell him much at all because he seemed to understand what was going on,” Cupich told The Associated Press afterward.
He said Leo particularly urged the U.S. bishops to “speak with one voice” on the issue. Cupich said he expects immigration to be a top topic at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in November.
“We have to bring this to the forefront now. This is the challenge of today. And we cannot dance around ignoring it,” Cupich said.
Catholic leaders in the United States condemned the Trump administration’s repressionwhich divided families and fueled fears that people could be rounded up and deported at any time. The administration has defended the crackdown as protecting public safety and national security.
“He (Leo) is asking us, as bishops, to speak up on behalf of undocumented immigrants and other vulnerable people to preserve their dignity,” Cupich said. “We must remember that we all share a common human dignity.”
Cupich said he was encouraged by Leo’s words. last week’s statement, In it, the Pope defended the cardinal’s decision to honor Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin for his work supporting immigrants. The plan drew opposition from some conservative U.S. bishops, given the powerful Democratic senator’s support for abortion rights, and he ultimately declined the award.
This will be the second time in recent days that the first-ever American pope will hear directly from a U.S. bishop on the front lines of the crackdown on immigration. Wednesday, El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz I brought a letter to Leo. From a desperate immigrant family.
Cupich visited Rome for a Vatican meeting and also accompanied a group of Chicago schoolchildren. Special greetings from Leo during Wednesday’s general audience. This spring, children held their own “mock conclave” at school, and footage of their deliberations went viral online as the real conclave was held in Rome. They arrived at the audience Wednesday dressed as cardinals, Swiss Guards and the Pope himself.
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