Pelosi Hopes Pope Leo XIV Will Oppose Deportations; Trump and Vance Offer Congratulations

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has expressed hope that the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, will use his position to advocate against mass deportations. Pelosi’s comments came after discussions regarding the new Pope’s past social media activity, which hinted at a critical stance towards some of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

MSNBC’s Chris Jansing referenced these past posts in a conversation with Pelosi, highlighting the Pope’s apparent awareness of the factors that drive migration and the vulnerabilities of migrants themselves. Jansing then asked Pelosi whether she believed Pope Leo XIV could be impactful as a moral and ethical voice on the issue of deportations, given the significant attention focused on him.

"I certainly hope so," Pelosi responded, indicating her expectation that the Pope would speak out on the matter.

Pelosi further pointed to a specific instance where, before his election, then-Cardinal Robert Prevost shared an article on X (formerly Twitter) from the National Catholic Reporter. The article, titled "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others," critiqued Vice President Vance’s remarks on prioritizing love based on proximity, beginning with family and extending outwards to neighbors, community, and fellow citizens, before considering the rest of the world. The article suggested this viewpoint was in opposition to the Christian concept of universal love and compassion.

Pelosi noted that the "far left" had seemingly "inverted" Vance’s hierarchy in relation to illegal immigration, prioritizing the needs of immigrants over citizens. She emphasized the importance of listening to both elected officials and religious leaders when they discuss the ranking of individuals based on their perceived importance.

The Pope’s brother, John Prevost, shared similar sentiments with CNN affiliate WBBM, stating his belief that his brother is concerned about the U.S.’s approach to immigration. "I think he sees the United States is headed in the wrong direction in terms of immigration, that this is a total injustice," John Prevost said. He underscored the fundamental humanity of migrants, asserting that their place of birth should not diminish their inherent worth and right to be treated with respect. "These are people. Doesn’t matter where they’re born, they are people first. And so they need to be treated as people first," he affirmed.

The issue of immigration reform was a central theme in former President Donald Trump’s campaign. During his first 100 days in office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested over 32,000 illegal immigrants, including over 14,000 convicted criminals and nearly 10,000 individuals with pending criminal charges.

Despite their differing views on immigration policy, Trump expressed his approval of Pope Leo XIV’s selection, stating that he looked forward to meeting him and that he was proud that he was the first American pontiff. "It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!" Trump posted on Truth Social.

Senator JD Vance, a Catholic convert who met Pope Francis shortly before his passing, also offered his congratulations to the new Pope. "Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election!" Vance wrote on X. "I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!"

The selection of an American Pope is a historic event with potential ramifications for a range of issues, including immigration. Pelosi’s call for Pope Leo XIV to be a vocal advocate against mass deportations highlights the expectation that the new pontiff will engage with pressing social and political challenges. His previous remarks, along with his brother’s comments, suggest an inclination towards a more compassionate and just approach to immigration. Whether Pope Leo XIV will fulfill these expectations remains to be seen, but his words and actions will undoubtedly be closely scrutinized by Catholics and observers worldwide.

Pelosi also offered a hopeful outlook on the future of women in the Catholic Church, suggesting that female priests could be a reality within her grandchildren’s lifetime. This comment, while not directly related to the immigration discussion, underscores the broader context of evolving perspectives and potential changes within the Catholic Church under the leadership of the first American Pope. The intertwining of faith, politics, and social justice issues creates a complex and evolving narrative that will continue to unfold under Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate.