Magazine, The Immigrant Experience
On May 8, 2025, white smoke rose over the Vatican, and the world witnessed a historic first: an American, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, was elected pope. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he became the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church and the first American to hold this role in its over 2,000-year history.
The moment marked more than a milestone for the Church—it stirred something deeper for many across the globe, especially among immigrants and refugees. For those living in limbo, facing displacement, exclusion, and political uncertainty, this new chapter brings hope—but also questions.
A Global Life, Rooted in Mission
While born in the United States, Pope Leo XIV is not unfamiliar with the world’s margins. He spent nearly two decades serving in Peru, ministering to underserved communities, becoming a Peruvian citizen, and walking alongside migrants—including many fleeing economic and political crises in neighboring Venezuela.
He speaks five languages. He listens deeply. And those who’ve worked with him say he is a leader who leads from the ground, not from above.
In his first address, delivered in Italian from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV offered a glimpse into his vision—not just for the Church, but perhaps for humanity.
“We have to seek together to be a missionary church. A church that builds bridges and dialogue.”
These words, though broad, carry special meaning for those who have been turned away from borders and denied compassion. A church that builds bridges suggests a leader who understands that walls, whether physical or ideological, are not the answer.
He continued:
“Let us show our charity to others and be in dialogue with love.”
That call—to practice love in action, to be open in our dialogue, and to live our faith outwardly—is one that speaks directly to the experiences of migrants and displaced families worldwide. The longing to be seen, welcomed, and treated with dignity is not just political; it is deeply spiritual.
A Gentle Beginning After a Bold Predecessor
Pope Leo XIV follows Pope Francis, whose papacy redefined the role of the Vatican as a moral voice for the vulnerable. Francis made immigration central to his message—visiting refugee camps, washing the feet of migrants, and challenging governments to see beyond borders.
Leo XIV’s tone is different—softer, quieter—but there is reason to believe the spirit of justice remains.
He closed his address with a tribute to Pope Francis’s compassion:
“Let us keep in our ears the weak voice of Pope Francis that blesses Rome. The Pope, who blessed Rome, gave his blessing to the entire world that morning of Easter. Allow me to follow up on that blessing. God loves us. God loves everyone. Evil will not prevail.”
In these words, we hear both reverence and resolve. A continuity of care. A desire to carry forward—not erase—the work of his predecessor.
Still, Pope Leo XIV has yet to speak directly to the specific global challenges facing immigrants and refugees today. For those seeking clear signs of advocacy or commitments to justice, the wait continues.
Watching for Substance Beyond Symbolism
The elevation of an American to the papacy is historic. It signals a shift in how the Church sees leadership—and perhaps, how it sees the global South and North as intertwined.
But for millions of immigrants, especially in countries where the Church plays a role in shaping public morality and policy, what matters now is what comes next.
Will Pope Leo XIV speak out against anti-immigrant policies?
Will he support and strengthen Catholic ministries serving refugees and undocumented people?
Will he continue to push for a church that doesn’t just offer charity but justice?
His experience suggests he might. His early message suggests he understands what the world needs most right now is connection—not division.
But until he speaks directly to the pressing issues facing migrants and the displaced, we wait.
Hope, and a Responsibility to Watch
This papacy begins with possibility. Pope Leo XIV brings with him a deep well of lived experience, pastoral humility, and global understanding. He may not lead with headlines, but his history points to substance.
Still, for those of us paying attention to how power responds to suffering, hope is always accompanied by watchfulness.
We wait to see what Pope Leo XIV will do—not just what he says. Because in a world where the vulnerable are too often forgotten, moral leadership is not just symbolic—it’s essential.
And for now, the world’s immigrants and refugees are watching. Waiting. Hoping that this historic choice becomes more than a first—it becomes a force.
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