Chicago Activist Group Invites Pope Leo to "Come home and use message of love to combat anti-immigration raids."
Donald Trump, who ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to descend on our city, boasts that he runs “the country and the world” and is the most powerful person on the planet who can do whatever he wants whenever he wants.
But we Chicago area residents, with the help of a Dolton-raised native, can show the world that there are ways to prick the balloon of bluster the president floats in.
We are inviting Pope Leo XIV to come home to the Southwest Side for an outdoor Mass at Marquette Park in support of the decent, hardworking immigrants — past and present — who were and are the very lifeblood of the city and surrounding suburbs. We believe 1 million Chicago area residents — fellow Roman Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and so many others, including secular-minded people — would attend.
Leo, who leads 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, represents everything the president is not. Trump exploits and inflames the worst fears and hatreds hidden in some human hearts. Conversely, the pope has earned love and respect because he represents revered traditions and institutions. Leo appeals to the best in people — their faith, their congregations and their communities. Leo may not have an army, but he can marshal a national and international force capable of resisting ICE and rolling back these assaults. With his kindness, Leo wields more power than Trump and can influence the world in ways that Trump can never imagine.
We do hope Pope Leo XIV takes us up on our offer. But as he mulls over our invitation, here are some other ways those of us who live here can help:
1. Author and journalist Thomas Ricks recently asked on social media, “So why not order Chicago police or state troopers to trail Natl Guard and protect citizens from assault?” We ask the Chicago police to step up and protect those targeted by federal agents. After all, the words “we serve and protect” are emblazoned on the side of every city police vehicle.
2. More citizens, including clergy and local leaders, should monitor the activities of ICE agents and document their actions.
3. Fences should be built around all federal courthouses and facilities where ICE officials pass through. At these sites, ICE officials should present their IDs, have their photos taken (masks down, please) and have their names put through a database to check for criminal records.
Meaningful actions, in the context of a thoughtful and focused strategy, are important more than ever. Let’s keep it going.
Alec Harris, Dennis Ryan, Raul Raymundo and Yvonne Smith, leaders, United Power for Action and Justice
https://chicago.suntimes.com/letters-to-the-editor/2025/11/05/pope-leo-xiv-trump-anti-immigration-ice-dale-bowman-smoking-cta-united-ceo-scott-kirby
But we Chicago area residents, with the help of a Dolton-raised native, can show the world that there are ways to prick the balloon of bluster the president floats in.
We are inviting Pope Leo XIV to come home to the Southwest Side for an outdoor Mass at Marquette Park in support of the decent, hardworking immigrants — past and present — who were and are the very lifeblood of the city and surrounding suburbs. We believe 1 million Chicago area residents — fellow Roman Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and so many others, including secular-minded people — would attend.
Leo, who leads 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, represents everything the president is not. Trump exploits and inflames the worst fears and hatreds hidden in some human hearts. Conversely, the pope has earned love and respect because he represents revered traditions and institutions. Leo appeals to the best in people — their faith, their congregations and their communities. Leo may not have an army, but he can marshal a national and international force capable of resisting ICE and rolling back these assaults. With his kindness, Leo wields more power than Trump and can influence the world in ways that Trump can never imagine.
We do hope Pope Leo XIV takes us up on our offer. But as he mulls over our invitation, here are some other ways those of us who live here can help:
1. Author and journalist Thomas Ricks recently asked on social media, “So why not order Chicago police or state troopers to trail Natl Guard and protect citizens from assault?” We ask the Chicago police to step up and protect those targeted by federal agents. After all, the words “we serve and protect” are emblazoned on the side of every city police vehicle.
2. More citizens, including clergy and local leaders, should monitor the activities of ICE agents and document their actions.
3. Fences should be built around all federal courthouses and facilities where ICE officials pass through. At these sites, ICE officials should present their IDs, have their photos taken (masks down, please) and have their names put through a database to check for criminal records.
Meaningful actions, in the context of a thoughtful and focused strategy, are important more than ever. Let’s keep it going.
Alec Harris, Dennis Ryan, Raul Raymundo and Yvonne Smith, leaders, United Power for Action and Justice
https://chicago.suntimes.com/letters-to-the-editor/2025/11/05/pope-leo-xiv-trump-anti-immigration-ice-dale-bowman-smoking-cta-united-ceo-scott-kirby
36-40, F
