Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, has publicly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policies, leading to tensions with conservative factions within the Catholic Church. In remarks made on September 30, 2025, Pope Leo questioned the alignment of such policies with the Church's pro-life teachings, stating that supporting anti-abortion views while tolerating what he termed "inhuman treatment of immigrants" is contradictory. 

This criticism has surprised and angered some conservative supporters, including former Bishop Joseph Strickland and blogs like Rorate Caeli, who had previously praised the new pope.  Despite the backlash, Pope Leo is expected to continue advocating for immigrant rights, a priority shaped by his missionary work in Peru. 

The pope's comments mark a departure from his earlier approach, where he had shown characteristic reserve compared to his predecessor, Pope Francis, and avoided direct criticism of President Trump. However, Pope Leo has a history of expressing concern over issues such as the political environment in the U.S. and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

In addition to his remarks on immigration, Pope Leo addressed controversy surrounding the Chicago archdiocese’s decision to honor pro-abortion rights Senator Dick Durbin, encouraging a more holistic view of the senator’s work and overall contributions. 

As Pope Leo continues his papacy, his stance on these issues may create political friction, particularly with American conservatives. However, he remains committed to living out Gospel values and fostering Church unity.