Castel Gandolfo: In a wide ranging conversation with journalists in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV called for “deep reflection” on the treatment of migrants in the United States, emphasizing that their spiritual and pastoral needs must not be neglected. The Pope also appealed for renewed dialogue between the U.S. and Venezuela, described the Israel-Hamas peace agreement as “very fragile”, reaffirmed the dignity of work, and expressed hope that the ongoing trial of ex-Jesuit Marko Rupnik will “bring clarity and justice for all.”
Addressing questions about reports that Catholic migrants detained in Chicago have been denied access to the sacraments, Pope Leo underscored the Church’s responsibility to defend the faith and dignity of every person, regardless of their legal or social status.
“The role of the Church is to preach the Gospel,” he said, invoking the Gospel of Matthew’s account of the Last Judgment: “Jesus says very clearly: At the end of the world, we will be asked how did you receive the foreigner? Did you welcome him, or did you not?”
The Pope lamented that many detained migrants “have been separated from their families for a long time” and that “no one really knows what is happening to them.” He appealed to authorities to allow pastoral workers to minister freely in detention centers, insisting that the “spiritual rights” of detainees deserve the same respect as their physical well-being.
“I would certainly invite the authorities to allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs of those detained,” he said. “Their souls also need care and the Church cannot ignore that.”
In a shift to global affairs, Pope Leo expressed concern over escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, following the deployment of U.S. naval forces near Venezuelan waters. Washington has framed the operation as an anti-narcotics initiative, while President Nicolás Maduro has accused the U.S. of preparing for “regime change” and seeking to control Venezuela’s oil reserves.
“I believe violence never brings victory,” the Pope remarked, noting recent reports of U.S. warships nearing the Venezuelan coast. “The key is to seek dialogue to find fair and peaceful ways to resolve the problems that exist within and between nations.”
He warned that power struggles and political hostility “only deepen suffering for ordinary people” and reiterated the Vatican’s readiness to support diplomatic mediation efforts between Washington and Caracas.
Turning to the Middle East, Pope Leo described the current Israel-Hamas ceasefire as “a first step that remains very fragile.” The truce, established under an October 10 agreement, has been threatened by renewed Israeli strikes and increasing settler violence in the West Bank.
“At least the first phase of the peace agreement is holding,” he said cautiously, before stressing that the next step must involve addressing “governance and ensuring the rights of all peoples.”
The Pope called the Israeli settlement issue “a truly complex matter,” remarking, “Israel says one thing, but sometimes it does another.” He urged both sides and the international community to work “for justice for all peoples,” adding that peace cannot survive “without fairness, dignity, and respect for human life.”
Ahead of the Jubilee of the World of Work, Pope Leo also spoke about the right to decent labor, following news of a 66-year-old worker’s death in the partial collapse of Rome’s Torre dei Conti.
“It is a human right to have dignified work that allows one to provide for one’s family,” he said. The Pope acknowledged that “the Church can only do so much,” but stressed that the upcoming Jubilee offers “a moment to offer hope not just to discuss problems but to unite our efforts in finding real solutions.”
Finally, Pope Leo addressed questions about ex-Jesuit priest and artist Marko Rupnik, accused of sexually abusing several women. He confirmed that a Vatican trial has officially begun, with judges appointed under the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
“In many places, Rupnik’s artworks have been covered or removed,” the Pope said, acknowledging the pain of victims while affirming the Church’s duty to ensure a fair judicial process.
“I know it is very difficult for victims to be asked for patience,” he said solemnly. “But the Church must respect the rights of all individuals. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty applies here as well. We hope this process will bring clarity and justice for everyone involved.”
Pope Leo’s remarks, though spanning multiple global issues, carried a consistent moral message: the defense of human dignity whether in a detention center, a war zone, or a courtroom. His call to safeguard the spiritual rights of migrants and uphold justice for all reflects the Church’s evolving mission in an age of displacement, inequality, and conflict.
“Every person,” he concluded, “deserves not only food and shelter, but also the light of faith and the comfort of being seen, heard, and loved.”