Newly elected Pope Leo XIV is signaling a major shift in tone from his predecessor by describing mass migration as a “huge problem,” marking a break from the unqualified pro-migration advocacy of the late Pope Francis. The comments, made by then-Cardinal Robert Prevost during a Catholic Mass, reflect a more balanced and realistic approach to one of the most pressing challenges facing modern nations.
“It’s a huge problem, and it’s a problem worldwide, not only in this country,” Pope Leo XIV said, urging both respect for migrants and the need for practical solutions. His remarks diverge sharply from the language used by Pope Francis, who routinely condemned border enforcement and championed open-door policies that have fueled political and cultural instability across Europe and North America.
Pope Francis frequently framed resistance to migration as morally illegitimate. He called walls “not Christian,” praised migrants as “warriors of hope,” and rejected any association between illegal immigration and criminality. His universalist approach often dismissed the real-world consequences of unchecked migration, including rising crime, economic stress on working-class citizens, and loss of national cohesion.
In contrast, Pope Leo XIV appears to be acknowledging the practical concerns raised by both secular governments and concerned citizens. While still emphasizing the Church’s call to treat every individual with dignity, he seems less inclined to interpret Christian compassion as a mandate for unlimited migration.
The new pope has also criticized Vice President JD Vance’s interpretation of “Ordo amoris,” a Christian principle that prioritizes love starting with family and extending outward to neighbors, communities, and fellow citizens before the broader world. In February, then-Cardinal Prevost tweeted disagreement with Vance’s argument that love and national duty require order and prioritization. However, unlike Francis, Leo XIV has not promoted migration as a political or economic solution, nor has he vilified political leaders who advocate for secure borders.
While left-leaning clerics such as Cardinal Dolan and Cardinal McElroy continue to echo Pope Francis’ legacy, the new pontiff’s rhetoric suggests a more restrained and practical stance. Cardinal McElroy recently condemned Trump-era policies as rooted in America’s “darkest” impulses, claiming mass deportation is incompatible with Christian conscience. Yet Trump and Vice President Vance have emphasized that their immigration policies are designed to protect American workers, preserve national unity, and restore law and order.
Polling continues to show that American Catholics—despite their Church leaders—broadly support reduced immigration. A church-commissioned poll in 2024 revealed 43% of self-identified Catholics want less migration, while only 23% want more. These numbers highlight a growing disconnect between Catholic leadership and laity.
Pope Leo XIV’s statements mark a pivotal moment. By recognizing the burden mass migration places on national systems while upholding the Church’s moral teachings, he may chart a new course that respects both Christian compassion and the responsibilities of democratic governments.
