Before ascending to the papacy, Robert Prevost served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. From his vantage point in Rome, Cardinal Prevost consistently voiced his concern for undocumented immigrants who left their homes in Latin America to embark on a forced exile to the United States.
- Leo XIV collaborated on the “Building Bridges” initiative and yesterday sent a clear message to the world: the synodal gathering begun by Francis will continue during his papacy.
- And a few days later, Francis doubled down on his pastoral stance.
- The letter was written by Francis, but the future pontiff contributed his interpretation of St. Augustine’s teachings.
In that pastoral role, Prevost was not alone. Francis was by his side.
Pope Francis had designed a synodal gathering he named “Building Bridges.” It was an initiative aimed at bringing together and uniting societies worldwide. And in that ecumenical proposal, the immigration crisis in Latin America held a central place.
“To be bridges ourselves, humble and courageous instruments of encounter, of dialogue between different and opposing people and groups,” Francis stated before the Community of the Pontifical Nepomucene College in November 2022.
Leo XIV collaborated on the “Building Bridges” initiative and yesterday sent a clear message to the world: the synodal gathering begun by Francis will continue during his papacy.
“Building bridges through dialogue and encounter, leading us all to be one people always at peace,” Prevost affirmed from the balcony usually used by Francis.
In this context, Pope Leo XIV will maintain the same stance that Francis held when defending undocumented immigrants facing the domestic agenda of Donald Trump.
When Prevost was still in charge of the Dicastery for Bishops—a highly influential office in the Vatican—Francis engaged in a rhetorical exchange with JD Vance, who is vice president of the United States.
Before Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, Francis appeared on a popular Italian program called Che Tempo Che Fa. There, he was asked about potential measures Trump might implement regarding undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.
“If it’s true, it will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the price,” the Argentine Pope responded.
And a few days later, Francis doubled down on his pastoral stance.
On January 20, Inauguration Day, he sent the White House an official telegram congratulating Trump on his second term in the Oval Office.
“I hope that under your leadership, the American people will prosper and always strive to build a more just society, where there is no room for hatred, discrimination, or exclusion,” the Holy Pontiff wrote.
Trump asked Vance to respond to Francis, and the vice president used the social media platform X to counter the Holy Father’s opinion.
“Just Google ‘ordo amoris,’” Vance posted on X on January 30.
He added: “You love your family, then your neighbor, then your community, and then your fellow citizens in your own country. And after that, you can focus on and prioritize the rest of the world,” the vice president said, justifying the Republican administration’s immigration agenda by citing a key concept from St. Augustine.
Prevost is an Augustinian, and Francis used his theological knowledge to draft a response letter to Vance’s arguments, who regards St. Augustine as his religious patron. That message was addressed to all bishops stationed in the United States.
The letter was written by Francis, but the future pontiff contributed his interpretation of St. Augustine’s teachings.
Prevost did so because he shared Francis’ perspective: to show compassion and build bridges to protect Latino immigrants who leave everything behind to pursue the American dream.
“The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is ‘the love that builds a brotherhood open to all, without exception,’” the Pope wrote in his open letter to U.S. bishops.
Religious dialectic, in Francis’ own words. Accompanied by Prevost, who acted out of personal conviction. There was no obligation here: it was a rational act supported by his extensive readings of St. Augustine’s The City of God and The Trinity, written in the 5th century.
From this perspective, Leo XIV will honor the legacy of Francis I. With his own style and rhythm, but his apostolate regarding undocumented immigrants in the U.S. will be identical to that professed by his predecessor on the throne of St. Peter.
“We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs His light. Humanity needs Him, as the bridge to be reached by God and His love. Help us, and help one another, to build bridges, through dialogue, through encounter, uniting us all to be one people always at peace. Thank you, Pope Francis!” declared Leo XIV before St. Peter’s Square.
Image: Infobae
