Before assuming the papacyRobert Prevost He was president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. From that viewpoint in RomaCardinal Prevost He always explained his concern for undocumented immigrants who left their homes in America Latina To undertake A forced exile towards the United States.
In that pastoral position, Premost was not alone. Francisco walked beside him.
The Argentine Pope had designed a SINODAL MEETING that baptized him “Building bridges ”. It was an initiative which had as a basic objective approach and join To societies from all over the planet. And in that ecumenical proposal, The immigration crisis in Latin America It occupied an essential space.
“Being bridges, humble and brave instruments of meeting, of dialogue between different and opposite groups, ”said Francisco before The community of the Pontifical Nepomuceno Collegein November 2022.
XIV lion He collaborated In the initiative “Building bridges” and yesterday sent a clear message to the entire world: the Synod Meeting initiated by Francisco will continue during your papacy.
“Build bridges with the dialogue with the meeting, taking us all to be a single town always in peace, ”he confirmed Prevost from the balcony that used Use Francisco.
In this context, Pope Leo XIV will have the same position that he exhibited Francisco at the time of defend undocumented immigrants that faced the domestic agenda of Donald Trump.
When Prevost I was still in charge of DICASTERY OF THE Bishops -A spring with a lot of power in the Vatican-, Francisco He had a dialectical set with JD Vancewhich is vice president of the United States.
Before Trump’s second assumption, on January 20, Francisco participated in a popular program in Italy that is called What time does it do. There they asked him about the possible measures that Trump would implement regarding undocumented immigrants living in the United States.
“If it is true, it will be a shame, because it makes the poor unfortunate who have nothing, pay the account,” The Argentine Pope replied.
And a few days later, Francisco redoubled The pastoral commitment.
He sent to the White House -on January 20, the Day of the Presidential Assumption -, An official telegram where Trump congratulated him for his second term in the Oval Hall.
-“I wish that the American people prosper under their leadership and always strive to build a more just society, where there is no place for hate, discrimination or exclusion,” The Holy Pontiff wrote.
Trump He asked him to Vance to answer Francisco, and the vice president used The social network X for replicate The opinion of the Holy Father.
“Just look for ‘Ordo Amoris’ in Google,” Vance published on January 30, on Social Network X.
And he added: “You love your family, then to your neighbor, then to your community, and then to your fellow citizens in your own country. And after that, you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world “said the vice president to justify the migration agenda of the Republican Administration, citing a key concept of San Agustín.
Prevost is Augustinianand Francisco used his theological knowledge To write An answer letter to the concepts of Vance, which has San Agustín as on religious patron. That letter was aimed at All bishops stationed in the United States.
The letter was written by Francisco, but the future Holy Pontiff He contributed his interpretation about the teachings of San Agustín. Premost did it because shared The same look as Francisco: Have mercy and build bridges to protect Latin immigrants who They leave everything To achieve The American dream.
“The real one the order of love that must be promoted “is” the love that builds an open fraternity to all, without exception “, The Pope wrote in his open letter to US bishops.
Religious dialectics, Francisco’s fist and lyrics. Accompanied by Premost, who did it by his own conviction. Here There was no due obedience: it was a rational act held by the infinite readings he had made about The city of God y The Trinity, written by San Agustín in the 5th century.
From this perspective, Leo XIV will honor the legacy of Francisco I. With his own style and cadencebut his apostolate regarding undocumented immigrants in the United States will be identical to the professed for his predecessor on the throne of San Pedro.
“We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs its light. Humanity needs him, as the bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us too, then to each other, To build bridges, With dialogue, with the meeting, joining us all To be a single town always in peace. Thanks to Pope Francis! “, Leon XIV said in front of San Pedro Square.
An initial definition. City and the world.
