Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — As immigration becomes an increasingly contentious political issue in the United States and Europe, Pope Francis has reiterated the moral significance of how migrants are treated, emphasizing a message of acceptance that has been central to his pontificate for over a decade.

Soon after his election in 2013, Pope Francis underscored the importance of immigration by choosing Lampedusa, Italy—a key entry point for migrants into Europe—as the destination for his first trip outside the Vatican. Since then, he has consistently prayed for and met with migrants to highlight their often-overlooked struggles as they seek safety and dignity.

The number of migrants worldwide continues to rise. In Europe, migrant numbers increased from around 20 million in 1990 to over 40 million in 2020. In North America, figures rose from over 20 million in 1990 to over 50 million in 2020, according to data from the International Organization for Migration.

This increase is significant for voters and lawmakers alike. A Pew Research Poll indicates that since 2021 “the share of Americans citing immigration as a top priority has increased 18 percentage points—from 39% to 57%—with the change coming almost entirely among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents.” According to Pew's February report, "76% of Republicans cited immigration as a top policy concern in 2024."

During his weekly general audience on Aug. 28, Pope Francis deviated from his usual catechesis series to address migration issues without being prompted by any specific event. His remarks came two months after European parliamentary elections where parties advocating hardline immigration policies gained traction and two months before the U.S. presidential election where immigration is a major policy issue.

In his address, Pope Francis criticized those who obstruct migrants from finding peace and security: “It needs to be said clearly: There are those who systematically work by all means to drive away migrants, and this, when done knowingly and deliberately, is a grave sin,” he stated on Aug. 28.

Although he did not use the term “mortal sin,” his statement aligns with its description in the catechism: “sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.”

Pope Francis also criticized restrictive migration laws and border militarization as ineffective solutions while advocating for “safe and legal access routes for migrants” and “global governance of migration based on justice, fraternity, persecution[,] and solidarity.”

While consistently urging dignity for migrants and refugees throughout his pontificate, this latest message appears more forceful than previous statements. Notably critical comments include his response during a reporter’s question about Donald Trump’s candidacy in which he said that someone focused only on building walls rather than bridges is "not Christian," as well as labeling Texas’ efforts against Catholic charities supporting migrants as "madness" during an interview with *60 Minutes* in May.

Despite invoking sin previously—in contexts such as Masses or forums—his recent remarks have garnered more media attention due possibly to their timing amidst global debates on immigration or their intensity.

As Pope Francis enters what some consider the "legacy" phase of his pontificate, observers are left questioning whether even stronger language on migration will emerge.