Pope Leo Condemns Inhuman Migrant Treatment, Opioid Crisis at Global Meeting

Pope Leo has strongly condemned the inhuman treatment of migrants, describing such policies as grave crimes and emphasizing that while states have the right to protect borders, they also have a moral obligation to provide refuge. He criticized measures that treat immigrants as "undesirables" or "garbage," implicitly challenging hard-line immigration policies, particularly those under the Trump administration, by questioning their compatibility with the Catholic Church's pro-life teachings. The pope also defended sea rescues of migrants following a deadly shipwreck and reiterated that housing, work, and land are sacred rights. Beyond immigration, he criticized the pharmaceutical industry's role in the opioid crisis, especially in the United States, and highlighted the negative effects of consumerism, social media, and exploitative economic practices like mining. Throughout his remarks at various international forums, Pope Leo emphasized the Christian call to love and solidarity, urging societies to prioritize human dignity and social justice over political ideology and economic exploitation.