Mainstream Media Coverage: Pope Leo XIV calls on Trump administration to allow detainees in Broadview to receive communion
Pope Leo XIV called on the Trump administration to allow detainees at the Immigration and Customs Detention Center in Broadview to receive communion, a religious rite that federal authorities have repeatedly denied local clergy from offering.
In answer to a direct question about the west suburban facility Tuesday, the Chicago-born Pope told the reporters that the spiritual rights of detainees need to be considered.
“I would certainly invite the authorities to allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs of those people,” he said. “Many times they’ve been separated from their families for a good amount of time; no one knows what’s happening, but their own spiritual needs should be attended to.”
Media Coverage (view coverage by Catholic media outlets here):
November 5, 2025 - Chicago Tribune: Pope Leo XIV calls on Trump administration to allow detainees in Broadview to receive communion
November 5, 2025 - Axios: Pope Leo XIV says DHS should allow communion at Chicago area ICE facility
November 5, 2025 - Newsbreak: Pope Leo XIV Blasts ICE After Priests Barred from Giving Communion to Migrants in Illinois
November 5, 2025 - BBC: Pope Leo offers his strongest criticism of Trump yet
November 5, 2025 - Union Bulletin: Pope Leo speaks out on reports of ICE refusing Communion for detained immigrants
November 7, 2025 - Daily Mail: Pope Leo SLAMS ICE's treatment of migrants under Trump as he calls for 'deep reflection' in US: 'I was struck'
November 7, 2025 - Reuters: Pope Leo's critique of Trump emboldens top US Catholics to help immigrants
November 7, 2025 - Dakota Free Press: Pope Leo: Denying Prisoners Access to Pastoral Care Problematic
