In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Bishops of the United States, Pope Francis voiced his concern over mass deportations and the treatment of migrants, urging the Church to uphold the “infinite and transcendent dignity” of every human person. The letter, dated February 10, 2025, comes amidst ongoing debates and policy changes regarding immigration in the United States.

The Pope draws on biblical and historical references, highlighting the journey from slavery to freedom in the Book of Exodus and the Holy Family’s own experience as refugees in Egypt. 

“Even a cursory examination of the Church’s social doctrine emphatically shows that Jesus Christ is the true Emmanuel (cf. Mt 1:23); he did not live apart from the difficult experience of being expelled from his own land because of an imminent risk to his life, and from the experience of having to take refuge in a society and a culture foreign to his own. The Son of God, in becoming man, also chose to live the drama of immigration.”

He continued to write, “The family of Nazareth in exile, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, emigrants in Egypt and refugees there to escape the wrath of an ungodly king, are the model, the example and the consolation of emigrants and pilgrims of every age and country, of all refugees of every condition who, beset by persecution or necessity, are forced to leave their homeland, beloved family and dear friends for foreign lands.”

Key Points from the Letter:

• Dignity Above All Else: Pope Francis asserts that the dignity of the human person surpasses all juridical considerations. He calls on the faithful to evaluate laws and policies based on whether they uphold fundamental human rights.
• Concern Over Deportations: The Pope directly addresses the “major crisis” of mass deportations in the U.S. He states that a “rightly formed conscience” cannot agree with measures that equate illegal status with criminality.
• Responsibility to Protect: While acknowledging a nation’s right to defend itself against violent criminals, Pope Francis insists that deporting those fleeing poverty, insecurity, and persecution damages human dignity and creates vulnerability.
• Rule of Law and Common Good: The letter emphasizes that a true rule of law is demonstrated by dignified treatment of all, especially the marginalized. The Pope reiterates his call for societies to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate vulnerable populations, while also regulating orderly migration. He cautions against building policies on force rather than the equal dignity of every human being.
• Christian Love and Identity: Pope Francis explains that Christian identity matures through relationships with others, especially the poor. He references the parable of the Good Samaritan as a model for building a fraternity open to all, warning against ideological criteria that distort social life.
• Gratitude and Exhortation: The Pope expresses gratitude for the work of the U.S. Bishops in supporting migrants and refugees, and he urges all Catholics and people of good will to resist narratives that discriminate against migrants. He calls for solidarity, bridge-building, and a willingness to give of oneself for the sake of others.
• Invocation of Our Lady of Guadalupe: The letter concludes with a prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe, asking for her protection of migrants and families and for the ability to meet as brothers and sisters in a more fraternal and inclusive society.

“Jesus Christ, loving everyone with a universal love, educates us in the permanent recognition of the dignity of every human being, without exception. In fact, when we speak of ‘infinite and transcendent dignity,’ we wish to emphasize that the most decisive value possessed by the human person surpasses and sustains every other juridical consideration that can be made to regulate life in society. Thus, all the Christian faithful and people of good will are called upon to consider the legitimacy of norms and public policies in the light of the dignity of the person and his or her fundamental rights, not vice versa.”