All Are Migrants on the Way to Our True Native Land

Pope Leo XIV’s recent Address “ Meeting with Organizations Working for the Integration of Migrants” is a recommended read in its entirety for faithful Catholics   Succinctly, this relatively short presentation beautifully embraced both immigrants and natives with respect to exemplary, virtuous Christian integration principles.  The exhortation leaned to charitably welcoming the earnest immigrant but respected concerns of host nations and their citizens with the goal of reaching our true native land.  

 
While the presentation was for churches, charities and civil organizations meeting in San Cristobal de la Laguna (Canary Islands), on June 12, 2026,  the content was universal and certainly one that Americans can understand given the immigration flooding—some describe as an invasion—of past years without vetting or verification of good intentions.   Especially tens of thousands of children deserved much more  from us, migrant or descendants of migrants.  Thankfully, the Pope named public enemy number one—human traffickers—for a myriad of grave sins for which they should repent.   He did not mince words.

 
Pope Leo XIV  stabilized Catholic spirituality in companionship with how everyone can optimally respond to the complexities of immigration for any reason.   He steered listeners to core Christian teaching, rooted in Scripture, but applicable to every age while acknowledging and respecting both the newcomer and residents.  While he focused on the plight of the earnest immigrant, implicit in his words is a universal understanding that each of us will stand before the Throne of God someday, bare souled.  This includes conniving foreigners and uncharitable natives.  The following is a synopsis of central points and echoes contemporary clergy but also St. Thomas Aquinas, and other philosophers, similarly wise.    

The Pope avoided unnecessary tension and inferred he was speaking of the conscientious immigrant while reminding citizens of any country of destination of their Christian duties in such cases. I appreciated the manner in which he accomplished this balance. I am among the frustrated Catholics who also realizes that I could be more understanding, at least in thought and discourse, and less political and worldly about some immigrants who “game” the systems of a quite generous nation.  We must tend to the needy while remedying injustices though not all foreigners deserve residency, let alone citizenship.  Moreover, Americans who question gross injustices, are not evil.  I saw nothing in this address that contradicted my opinion.  By going after real culprits  but acknowledging  just immigration, Pope Leo XIV empathized with persons on both sides of the borders.  

 
Pope Leo XIV distinguished between concrete walls and those erected by faulty perceptions, misunderstandings, and expectations.   His Holiness expressed balance of rights and responsibilities of both the native and the person seeking to plant roots and reap the benefits of a new land for them.    Most urgently, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the Catholic Faith and the ultimate destination of everyone’s true, eternal land.  Absent genuine evangelization that embraces the immigrant in full integrity of purpose for living in another country, we are not serving well the immigrant nor helping ourselves attain our true homeland.   

 
Bluntly, today’s immigrant is likely to be poorly catechized, leading to behaviors that attack the foundations of their adopted country along with individuals who never harmed them.  This skews the meaning of charity, as well.  Many native Americans expansively contribute to various persons and organizations only to be continuously “scolded”  for raising valid points about the responsibilities of the immigrant, or sometimes merely for being a White American of several generations.  

 
Pope Leo XIV soothed these souls in many ways though a thorough read is necessary.  He referenced the “language of closeness” for the immigrant, which is understood “more with hands than words.”  He promoted knowing individual persons and his or her story, not as a number or a “file.”  Yet, by this, the Pope also infers that this be true for the immigrant learning about persons in his adopted country.  We become “legible” to each other through our wounds, “a place of recognition.”

 
The Pope made the typical reference to Matthew 25, but universally,  absent pointing fingers, I “heard” meaning that this is also true for new immigrants.  They, too must understand that most Americans are not rich or self sustaining.  The old hype:  “roads paved with gold”— that drew millions in previous centuries— is an illusion. A migrant may (or may not)  be penniless, but he or she still bears responsibility for gratefully receiving and prudently using goods with an understanding that an actual citizen may have even less.    

 
One critical portion of the Pope’s address aptly balanced “integration,” and he rightfully stressed that new arrivals not be expected to erase their history, but still that this is a reciprocal journey.  Persons expecting respect for their backgrounds must also extend that to the host country.  Moreover, the Pope discouraged creating “parallel worlds, closed off from one another.”  Parenthetically, I have personally witnessed this with whole sub-populations cloistered in their ethnic bubbles, at times almost arrogantly ignoring invitations to join the whole community.

 
Among the most critical portions of this address are the Pope’s words to his “dear migrant brothers and sisters”. He informed them of the nobility and necessary part of their journey as one whereby they open themselves with trust to the community that welcomes them and “to learn its language, to respect its laws, to get to know its customs, to participate in communal life, and to offer your gifts with gratitude.”  

 
Then, cutting to the heart of the matter, one might say the Sacred Heart of the matter, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that integration “cannot be reduced to a social undertaking.”  Paths to Jesus Christ are necessary “through the witness of life and word, while always respecting the conscience and freedom of each person“. He noted that “evangelization” is sharing with respect and humility the treasure that sustains our action and our hope.  The church does not only welcome; it proclaims, ever offering Jesus Christ.

 
The culmination of this address rung like beautiful cymbals at the end of a musical score when the Pope intoned the dire consequences of creating a “second ship wreck” for immigrants via human trafficking, death routes, exploitation, and creating suffering for profit.

 
He strongly used words like “stop” and “repent.”  “For every life lost, every family deceived, every body subjugated, every woman threatened, every worker exploited, you will appear before divine justice.” (Cor 5:10).  Note that the Pope did not distinguish between a morally corrupt foreigner and a native.  He advised violators to return what has been taken and make amends, as “God’s mercy can reach even the most hardened sinner, but it enters only through the narrow gate of truth, justice and conversion.” (Ez 33:11).

 
Critics might complain that the Pope did not directly defend the underfoot host natives, such as  Americans,  unkindly and continuously slandered for what they believe are legitimate, conscientious caveats to posturing all immigrants as victims or “open borders” as an unquestionable right.   But, then, Jesus Christ did not either.  We should simply imitate Him,  count all as from Divine Will, announce the Good News and the one, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church,  and then trust eternal justice.  For everyone’s  true native land is the City of God.