Pope Leo XIV: each country has the right to decide who, how, and when someone enters a country.

Pope Leo XIV has reaffirmed that each country has the right to decide “who, how, and when people enter,” in the context of the immigration debate in the United States. He emphasized that there are legal mechanisms to address immigration cases, such as courts and a justice system, and he urged that people’s dignity and humanity not be lost when enforcing the law.

He also called for listening to the U.S. bishops, who have criticized the policy of mass deportations and stressed the need for a more compassionate approach toward migrants.