When Pope Leo XIV was elected in May, many conservative Catholics felt reassured. In his first public appearance, he wore the traditional red papal mozzetta—a garment Pope Francis had set aside—and later allowed Cardinal Raymond Burke to celebrate the Latin Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, something Francis had refused. These gestures seemed to signal a new openness toward tradition.
But a recent comment has shifted the tone of that support. Speaking to reporters, Pope Leo questioned whether hard-line immigration policies in the United States truly aligned with Catholic teaching on life. “Someone who says I am against abortion but I am in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don’t know if that’s pro-life,” he said, according to Reuters.
A Break with Conservative Expectations
The reaction was swift. Former Texas Bishop Joseph Strickland, who had praised Pope Leo in the early months of his pontificate, criticized him on social media for causing “much confusion … regarding the sanctity of human life and the moral clarity of the Church’s teaching” (Reuters). The influential Rorate Caeli blog, which had been harshly critical of Pope Francis, lamented, “So tired of papal interviews. He should return to his previous silence.”
These responses highlight how quickly some of Pope Leo’s initial support has cooled. As David Gibson of Fordham University told Reuters, conservatives may have mistaken the Pope’s gestures of unity for an endorsement of their full agenda. “Leo was never going to do that,” Gibson explained.
A Pope with His Own Priorities
Despite the backlash, Vatican officials suggest Pope Leo will not back down. According to Reuters, he has a deep personal concern for the plight of immigrants, formed during his years as a missionary in Peru. Elise Allen, his biographer, noted that while he recognizes abortion as a priority issue, he “is not going to be somebody that says that’s far more important than immigration.”
Cardinal Michael Czerny defended the Pope’s approach, pointing to the instruction of St. Paul: “Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season.” He added that Pope Leo “encourages and challenges each local Church and each Christian, faced with complex and urgent issues, to live the Gospel” (Reuters).
Walking the Line Between Unity and Challenge
This moment underscores a central tension in Pope Leo’s papacy. He has promised to work for unity in a Church increasingly divided, but unity cannot come at the expense of the Gospel. His willingness to challenge even those who initially welcomed him suggests he intends to follow conscience over politics.
As Allen summarized, “Is he going to ruffle the feathers of American conservatives at some points? Yes. They shouldn’t be surprised that he does that” (Reuters).
Your support brings the truth to the world.
Catholic Online News exists because of donors like you. We are 100% funded by people who believe the world deserves real, uncensored news rooted in faith and truth — not corporate agendas. Your gift ensures millions can continue to access the news they can trust — stories that defend life, faith, family, and freedom.
When truth is silenced, your support speaks louder.
