White House Pushes Back At The Pope For Saying Immigration Stance Contradicts 'Pro-Life' Values: 'We Are Upholding the Law'

The White House pushed back at Pope Leo XIV for suggesting that U.S. immigration enforcement policies are inconsistent with a pro-life position. "Someone who says I'm against abortion but I'm in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don't know if that's pro-life," Pope Leo said Tuesday. "Someone who says I'm against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life," he added.

The remarks came as the pontiff fielded questions about a Chicago Archdiocese plan to honor Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois who supports abortion rights but has been recognized for his work on immigration.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected the pope's characterization during a White House press briefing, as reported by Politico. "I would reject there was inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the United States under this administration," she told reporters at the White House. "This administration is trying to enforce our nation's laws in the most humane way possible, and we are upholding the law. We are doing that on behalf of the people of our country who live here."

Leavitt, a practicing Catholic, did not address the pope directly in her comments. Vice President JD Vance, also Catholic, declined to comment through a spokesperson. Earlier this year, Vance sparred with the late Pope Francis over similar concerns about U.S. border policy.

During the same briefing, Vance argued that immigration burdens public health resources. "Very often someone in the emergency room waiting is an illegal alien, very often it's a person who can't speak English," he said. "Why do those people get health care benefits at hospitals paid for by American citizens?"

Pope Leo's comments follow other recent interventions on economic and social issues. In a September 19 interview with Crux, he criticized rising global inequality, citing reports that Elon Musk may become the world's first trillionaire. "If that is the only thing that has value anymore, then we're in big trouble," the pope said, while also expressing concern about polarization and the weakening of international institutions.