Pope Leo XIV says spiritual needs of detained migrants deserve attention Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday said the spiritual rights of migrants in detention must be considered. “Many people who’ve lived for years and years and years, never causing problems, have been deeply affected by what’s going on right now,” he said Nov. 4 outside Castel Gandolfo. “I would certainly invite the authorities to allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs of those people. Many times they’ve been separated from their families for a good amount of time. No one knows what’s happening, but their own spiritual needs should be attended to.” Catholic leaders in Chicago sought to bring holy Communion to detainees Nov. 1 at a Chicago-area building that holds people detained in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Auxiliary Bishop Jose María García-Maldonado and others were not admitted despite requesting access weeks in advance and attempting to follow U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines. A federal judge heard testimony Nov. 4 about conditions at the building, the Broadview facility operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Immigration advocates say conditions are inhumane, with people being kept at the Broadview facility for days, sleeping on floors, having medications withheld, with no showers. ICE has not responded to a request for comment. The pope said the situation of migrants in detention warrants attention. “I think in the first place, the role of the Church is to preach the Gospel. And just a couple days ago, we heard Matthew’s Gospel chapter 25, which says Jesus is very clearly, at the end of the world, we’re going to be asked, ‘How did you receive the foreigner? Did you receive him and welcome him or not?’” Leo said. “There’s a deep reflection that needs to be made in terms of what’s happening” regarding migrants in detention, the pope said. This article was originally published by CNA. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp CNA Staff Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article The Popes and Young People: Jubilee of Youth Pope Leo: Don’t let tension between tradition, novelty become ‘harmful polarizations’ Vatican News: The Chosen Cast Meets Pope Leo XIV as Jubilee Celebrates Clergy Life & Legacy of Cardinal George Pell Pope Francis: Synodal journey ‘a challenge and task’ for American seminarians LIVE from Fatima | Holy Rosary & Candlelight Procession | May 12th, 2023
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