White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration Wednesday following remarks from Pope Leo XIV regarding the treatment of illegal immigrants and the alignment of certain policies with pro-life principles.
The pontiff suggested that opposing abortion while supporting the death penalty or tolerating harsh treatment of migrants reflects a moral inconsistency.
“Someone who says, ‘I’m against abortion,’ but supports the death penalty, is not fully pro-life,” the pope said, adding that condoning inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants similarly conflicts with pro-life values.
His comments come amid broader discussions in the Catholic Church about maintaining consistency between moral beliefs and political actions.
Leavitt rejected the pope’s characterization during a White House briefing.
“I would reject that there was inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the United States under this administration,” she said in a video shared on X.
She compared current policies to prior administrations, noting that illegal immigrants faced trafficking, assaults and deaths along the Southern border under previous leadership.
The press secretary also cited crimes committed by illegal immigrants during previous administrations, including the murder of college student Laken Riley.
Leavitt emphasized that the Trump administration enforces immigration laws “humanely” and acts “on behalf of the people of our country.”
She highlighted her Catholic faith while praising Trump’s record on protecting life, saying, “Trump has done more to protect innocent life than any president in history,” and welcomed the pope’s support for safeguarding unborn children.
The Western Journal reports that Pope Leo’s remarks coincided with tensions over Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s recent speech to military leaders, in which he adopted a new title previously held by the Secretary of Defense.
“Let’s hope it’s just a figure of speech,” the pontiff said, cautioning that such language could escalate tensions and stressing the importance of peace.
The pope also addressed Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin (D), initially slated to receive a lifetime achievement award from Cardinal Blase Cupich for immigration advocacy.
Durbin, a longtime supporter of abortion rights, withdrew from the honor after criticism from church members.
The pontiff defended Durbin’s overall record, noting that “40 years of service in the United States Senate” should be weighed.
Leavitt’s comments reflect the administration’s position that strict immigration enforcement is compatible with pro-life principles.
Conservatives have contrasted Trump-era enforcement with policies under former President Joe Biden, during which border officials reportedly encountered roughly 11 million illegal immigrants, according to the Daily Mail.
The White House maintains that rigorous enforcement ensures public safety while protecting both citizens and vulnerable populations.
The exchange between Pope Leo XIV and the White House illustrates the broader debate over how moral values intersect with immigration policy.
While the pope emphasizes consistency in ethical positions, the administration argues that enforcing laws humanely and safeguarding citizens and illegal immigrants are complementary goals.
Conservative observers note that the dialogue highlights ongoing concerns about federal authority, border security, and the balance between ethics and policy implementation.
This interaction underscores the challenges political leaders face when moral and practical considerations collide.
Balancing religious guidance, public safety and legal enforcement remains a delicate task, and the discussion between the Vatican and the White House emphasizes the complexity of applying pro-life philosophy to real-world governance.
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