Pope Leo XIV Challenges U.S. ‘Pro-Life’ Stance, Sparks White House Rebuttal on Immigration

Pope Leo XIV has ignited a fresh controversy, directly challenging the U.S. interpretation of ‘pro-life’ by stating that ‘inhuman treatment of immigrants’ is inconsistent with the term. In remarks made Tuesday evening from his summer residence, the first American pontiff suggested that Catholic politicians must be judged on the full spectrum of their policy positions, explicitly linking opposition to abortion with stances on issues like the death penalty and immigration.

‘Someone who says I’m against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life,’ Pope Leo said. ‘And someone who says I’m against abortion but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don’t know if that’s pro-life.’ These comments mark Pope Leo’s initial significant foray into the contentious U.S. debates surrounding abortion, immigration, and the Church’s societal influence.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt quickly addressed the Pope’s statements on Wednesday, rejecting claims of inhumane treatment of ‘illegal immigrants’ under the current administration. Leavitt countered, asserting that ‘significant, inhumane treatment’ occurred during the previous administration, citing instances of trafficking, rape, and violence at the southern border.

The Pope’s remarks coincided with an ongoing controversy in Illinois, where Senator Dick Durbin was set to receive a lifetime achievement award from a Catholic institution. Critics condemned the award due to Durbin’s support for abortion rights. While Pope Leo initially stated he wasn’t ‘very familiar with the case,’ he emphasized the importance of considering a politician’s ‘overall work.’ Shortly after the pontiff’s comments, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich announced that Senator Durbin had declined the award, citing a desire to respect the decision and lamenting the increasing partisan divide.

The pontiff urged mutual respect in U.S. discussions, particularly within his native Illinois, while reaffirming the Catholic Church’s clear teachings on these issues. The incident highlights the complex interplay between faith, politics, and social justice in contemporary American discourse.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.