A growing divide between political leadership in the United States and the Catholic Church has come into sharper focus following remarks from Tom Homan, who publicly called on Pope Leo XIV and Church leaders to avoid political involvement and concentrate on internal Church matters.
Speaking to reporters, Homan—who described himself as a devoted Catholic—expressed frustration with recent criticisms from Church leaders regarding U.S. immigration policy. “I’m a lifelong Catholic … I love the Catholic Church. I just wish they’d stick to fixing the Church because there [are] issues … and stay out of politics,” he said, according to LifeSiteNews.
His remarks came after Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV on social media, accusing the Holy Father of being “weak on crime” and opposing his administration’s policies on immigration and foreign affairs. The tension intensified following a televised interview in which several U.S. cardinals raised concerns about the humanitarian impact of immigration enforcement.
Homan defended the administration’s approach, arguing that stricter border control policies ultimately protect human life. “(A) secure border saves lives. A secure border is the most humane thing we can do,” he said, explaining that open borders expose migrants to exploitation and danger, including trafficking and violence, according to LifeSiteNews.
He also expressed a willingness to engage directly with Church leaders, saying he would welcome the opportunity for dialogue. “I wish (the cardinals would) sit down with me and hear my experiences (over) the last 40 years,” he added, suggesting that firsthand knowledge might reshape their views, according to LifeSiteNews.
The Catholic Church, however, continues to emphasize both compassion and moral responsibility in its teaching on immigration. While affirming the right of nations to secure their borders, Catholic social teaching also calls for the dignity and protection of migrants, especially the most vulnerable.
Pope Leo XIV responded to the criticism by reaffirming the Church’s mission as spiritual rather than political. “I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel,” he said. “We are not politicians,” he added, underscoring that the Church’s role is to proclaim Christ’s message, including the call that “blessed are the peacemakers,” according to LifeSiteNews.
The Holy Father also warned against distorting the Gospel for political purposes. “I do not believe the message of the Gospel should be misused, as some are doing,” he said, while urging renewed efforts toward peace, dialogue, and cooperation in a world marked by suffering and conflict, according to LifeSiteNews.
As the debate continues, the exchange highlights a deeper question facing both Church and state: how to uphold truth, justice, and human dignity in a world increasingly shaped by political division and global crisis.
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