Trump Open to Dialogue with Pope Leo XIV on Immigration Policies

In a recent televised interview, former President Donald Trump expressed openness to engaging in conversation with Pope Leo XIV—the first American pope in the Catholic Church’s history—about U.S. immigration policies.

The discussion arose during an exchange with Fox News host Sean Hannity, who asked Trump if he would consider meeting the new pope to talk about immigration, despite their perceived differences on the issue.

“Sure, I mean, I would,” Trump replied. “He was really a surprise choice. And I noticed on CNN, they were trying to downplay the significance of his selection. But no one’s really asked the question yet.”

Although Pope Leo XIV has not publicly addressed Trump’s immigration actions directly, past statements from Catholic figures, as well as social media posts from accounts linked to the pontiff’s prior identity—Cardinal Robert Prevost—have echoed concerns voiced by faith leaders about strict immigration enforcement.

Trump, during his time in office, has prioritized stricter immigration controls, including mass deportations and tighter border security. According to administration officials, several thousand undocumented individuals have been removed in recent months as part of this initiative.

The former president has defended his stance by stating that it’s necessary to ensure national security and uphold U.S. immigration law, though critics argue it risks marginalizing vulnerable communities.

In the same interview, Trump also commented on other cultural and political topics. He expressed frustration over what he perceives as policy priorities among lawmakers that, in his view, are disconnected from everyday concerns. Topics such as gender policies in sports and prescription drug legislation surfaced as examples of ongoing partisan debate.

“Sometimes I think they don’t know what they’re doing,” Trump said, referring to certain political figures. He went on to describe an instance where a former colleague attempted to justify policies regarding transgender athletes, calling the discussion “sad” and suggesting that public sentiment does not align with these decisions.

“These aren’t 80-20 issues. A lot of them are 99 to 1,” he said, speaking about topics like youth gender transitions and athletics participation. “But I don’t want to talk them out of it. If they changed course, they might be more difficult to beat.”

He also reiterated his belief that his administration had broad support across various demographics, including labor groups and Hispanic voters. According to Trump, this coalition was a key factor in what he characterized as a successful political movement that transcended party lines.

“We had support from workers, unions, non-unions, middle-income families, and even the wealthy. People from all walks of life came together,” he said.

Reflecting on media coverage and political rivalries, Trump suggested that criticisms aimed at him are often exaggerated, describing the phenomenon as “Trump derangement syndrome.”

Throughout the interview, Trump maintained that open dialogue—even with critics or those with opposing views—remains important. His willingness to speak with Pope Leo XIV, despite potential ideological differences, reflects an acknowledgment of the significance of religious influence in shaping public values and policy perspectives.

Pope Leo XIV’s approach to immigration and social issues remains to be seen as his papacy continues. Many observers are curious whether he will maintain a more traditional doctrinal stance or embrace a reform-minded approach in line with his predecessors.

The former president concluded the conversation with a look back at his political journey, stating, “We won support from Americans who use common sense—people who want what’s best for the country, regardless of their background.”

While the possibility of a formal discussion between Trump and Pope Leo XIV remains speculative, such a meeting could mark a meaningful intersection between faith and politics, offering a platform for dialogue on one of the most challenging and debated topics in modern governance: immigration.