Archbishop Sample Says Pope Leo XIV Supports Solidarity With Immigrants in United States
Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, said Pope Leo XIV has expressed strong support for U.S. bishops in their call for solidarity with immigrants, urging Catholics to stand together across ethnic and cultural lines during a period of heightened tension over immigration enforcement.
Speaking in Rome during a visit that included a private audience with the Pope on February 9, Archbishop Sample said the Holy Father has been a source of encouragement for bishops addressing concerns affecting immigrant communities in the United States. According to the archbishop, the issue is one of deep personal concern for Pope Leo XIV.
The Archdiocese of Portland has experienced sustained activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in recent months, including operations near parishes. Archbishop Sample said such activity created anxiety among parishioners, with some fearing attendance at Mass. He noted that while enforcement efforts appear less aggressive recently, the underlying concerns remain.
A key issue raised during discussions in Rome involved religious liberty and access to pastoral care for individuals held in detention facilities. As chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for Religious Liberty, Archbishop Sample emphasized the importance of ensuring detainees can receive the sacraments and spiritual support from Catholic ministers. He said bishops are monitoring situations where access may be limited.
The archbishop stressed that while nations have the right to regulate their borders and enforce immigration laws, responses must respect human dignity. He echoed previous statements from the U.S. bishops affirming that national security and human dignity are not mutually exclusive. In his view, those who have lived in the country for many years and established families deserve humane consideration within any legal process.
Pope Leo XIV has publicly stated that immigration challenges should be addressed through judicial systems and lawful procedures. He has acknowledged that countries have the authority to determine who enters and under what conditions. At the same time, he has cautioned against treatment that disregards the dignity of individuals who have built lives within local communities.
Archbishop Sample also highlighted the need for unity within the Church itself. He observed that in many parishes English and Spanish speaking Catholics may attend liturgies in the same building yet remain socially distant. He encouraged parishioners to build real relationships across linguistic and cultural lines, particularly with Hispanic Catholics who may feel vulnerable during enforcement actions.
Calling for solidarity rooted in faith, the archbishop said Catholics must recognize one another as members of the same body of Christ. Practical gestures of welcome, accompaniment and mutual support, he suggested, can help ease fear and foster communion within parishes.
The conversation between Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop Sample underscores the ongoing engagement of the Church in questions that intersect public policy, religious liberty and pastoral care. As immigration debates continue in the United States, Church leaders have reiterated their commitment to advocating for solutions that uphold both the rule of law and the inherent dignity of every person.
