Pope Leo urges respect for migrant detainees’ spiritual rights, dialogue with Venezuela, warns Israel-Hamas truce fragile, hopes Rupnik trial brings justice.
Newsroom (05/11/2025, Gaudium Press)Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday called for “deep reflection” on the U.S. government’s mass deportation policies, emphasizing the need to respect the “spiritual rights” of migrant detainees, including access to pastoral care. Speaking to journalists at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, the pontiff also urged dialogue to ease U.S.-Venezuela tensions, described the Israel-Hamas ceasefire as “very fragile,” and expressed hope that the ongoing Vatican trial of former Jesuit Marko Rupnik would deliver “clarity and justice.”
Migrant Detainees and Spiritual Rights
Addressing a journalist’s question about Catholic migrants in Chicago denied Holy Communion while in detention, Pope Leo highlighted the human impact of prolonged family separations under U.S. immigration enforcement.
“Many people who have lived for years and years in the United States, never causing problems, are deeply affected,” he said, speaking in a mix of Italian and English. “They’ve been separated from their families for a good amount of time. No one knows what’s happening.”
Invoking the Gospel of Matthew’s account of the Last Judgment, the Pope underscored the Church’s role: “Jesus says very clearly: At the end of the world, we’re going to be asked, how did you receive the foreigner? Did you receive him, and welcome him, or not?”
He stressed protecting detainees’ spiritual needs, saying, “I would certainly invite the authorities to allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs of detained migrants … but their own spiritual needs should be attended to.”
U.S.-Venezuela Tensions
Turning to escalating frictions between Washington and Caracas, Pope Leo condemned the potential for violence after reports of U.S. Marines deploying near Venezuelan waters for anti-narcotics operations—a move Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro labeled a pretext for regime change and oil seizure.
“I believe violence never brings victory,” the Pope said, referencing recent naval movements. “The key is to seek dialogue, to find fair ways to resolve the problems that may exist within countries.”
Middle East Ceasefire ‘Very Fragile’
On the Middle East, where an October 10 Israel-Hamas agreement faces threats from renewed Israeli strikes and settler attacks in the West Bank, Pope Leo noted progress but warned of instability.
“At least the first phase of the peace agreement is still holding,” he said, before adding that the truce was “very fragile.” He called for advancing to a second phase focused on governance and rights for all peoples.
Regarding Israeli settlements in the West Bank—deemed illegal under international law—the Pope described the issue as “truly complex,” noting, “Israel said one thing, but sometimes it does another.” He emphasized collaborative efforts “to work together for justice for all peoples.”
Dignity of Work and Upcoming Jubilee
Ahead of the Jubilee of the World of Work, Pope Leo addressed workers’ rights, a day after a 66-year-old laborer died in the partial collapse of Rome’s Torre dei Conti.
“It’s a human right to have dignified work that allows one to provide for one’s family,” he said. While acknowledging the Church’s limitations—”The Church can only do so much”—he viewed the Jubilee as a chance “to offer some hope and to try to unite our efforts to find solutions, not just to comment on problems.”
Rupnik Case and Vatican Trial
Finally, responding to inquiries about Marko Rupnik, the ex-Jesuit artist accused of abusing multiple women and whose case is under review by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Pope Leo confirmed a Vatican trial has begun.
“Judges have been appointed, and judicial processes take time,” he said. Noting that Rupnik’s artwork has been covered or removed from websites in many places, he added, “I know it is very hard for victims to be asked for patience, but the Church must respect the rights of all individuals. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty applies in the Church as well. We hope this process will bring clarity and justice for everyone involved.”
The Pope delivered his remarks informally to a small group of reporters before returning to the Vatican.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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