Pope Leo XIV said being « pro-life » should extend beyond opposing abortion, citing compassion for immigrants and opposition to the death penalty.
As the first American pope, Leo XIV has largely avoided speaking out about domestic politics in the United States.
He waded into controversy, however, by commenting on the Archdiocese of Chicago’s plan to honor U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who has represented Illinois since 1997, with a lifetime achievement award for his work on immigration issues. Some Catholic critics were opposed to Durbin, who has supported the right to a legal abortion, receiving such an award – and he ultimately declined it.
On Sept. 30, 2025, when reporters in Italy asked about the situation, Leo said, « It’s important to look at many issues that are related to the teachings of the church. »
« Someone who says I’m against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life », he said. « And someone who says I’m against abortion but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don’t know if that’s pro-life. »
In American politics, being « pro-life » is often equated with being opposed to abortion. But as Leo’s comments highlight, it’s not so simple.
In my research into the modern pro-life movement, I have found great variety in how different people and organizations use the term, what issues they campaign for, and how religious convictions drive their work.
Public opinion
If being pro-life means caring about immigrants’ rights and opposing abortion, a minority of Americans appear to subscribe to the pope’s vision.
On Oct. 22, 2025, PRRI — a think tank that researches the intersection of religion, culture and politics – released results from a survey asking respondents about immigration and abortion. The survey was conducted online in August and September.
Among all respondents, 61% say that immigrants, regardless of legal status, should have basic rights and protections, including the ability to challenge deportation in court. Sixty-five percent oppose deporting undocumented immigrants without due process to prisons in other countries.
Support for immigrants’ rights is less common, however, among people who oppose the right to an abortion.
Overall, 36% of respondents believe abortion should be illegal in all or most cases, while 61% believe the procedure should be legal in all or most cases.
Among people who believe abortion should be illegal, only 40% say immigrants should have basic rights, compared to 75% of respondents who believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
When asked whether the government « should detain immigrants who are in the country illegally in internment camps until they can be deported », only 37% of Americans agree.
