VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV met Tuesday (Oct. 7) with a group of U.S. Latino Catholics who are working to help immigrants threatened by President Donald Trump’s deportation policies, telling them that they are not alone and that their job is now more important than ever.
“You have in your hands a very great task, which is to accompany the people who truly and profoundly need a sign that God never abandons anyone: not the smallest, not the poorest, not the foreigner, not anyone,” Leo said in Spanish in his brief remarks to the delegation from the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry.
The group of 100 pilgrims, representing almost 60 U.S. dioceses in the United States, came to Rome this week to pray for the communities they serve during the Jubilees of Missions and Migrants. They said they were surprised when Leo, the first American to head the Catholic Church, called them to a private audience, which took place in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, where popes customarily greet heads of state and foreign dignitaries.
“You, in the service you offer in your ministry, are clearly that testimony that is so important, perhaps especially in the United States, but throughout the whole world — a world that suffers so much from war, from violence and from hatred,” Leo said, according to a recording provided by NCCHM.
“Thank you for all that you do,” he added, concluding with an encouragement for their work before praying the Our Father. He then greeted every participant individually.
Elisabeth Román. (Photo co …