Embracing Compassion for Our Leaders and Our Nation

Every Lent I think, “This is the year I give up that particular attachment that keeps me from a deeper relationship with Jesus!” Or this is the year I commit to X. Not the social media, but the thing that will break through to my personal holiness. And every year…I don’t make the progress I’d hoped, or I totally fall flat on my face. I’m a work in progress, to put it kindly. It got me wondering how other people are doing. Especially people who are living out their faith lives under a bigger spotlight. Are they ok?

Amid heated debates, like those over immigration and border security, we are often quick to scrutinize public figures for their policy stances. Yet behind the headlines lie the personal faith journeys of Catholic leaders like Vice President J.D. Vance and border czar Tom Homan—journeys marked by struggle, reflection, and a genuine effort to balance public duty with the call of the Gospel.

Pope Francis’s letter to the U.S. bishops, issued on 10 February 2025, offers a profound reminder of the Church’s commitment to human dignity and the Gospel’s message of unconditional love. In his words, the Holy Father calls for an “ordo amoris” that builds a fraternity open to all, urging us to assess public policies through the lens of compassion and respect for every human being. This message not only speaks to the plight of migrants but also invites us to reflect on our own journey of faith and the struggles inherent in living out Church teaching.

Political leaders, like every one of us, are navigating the difficult terrain of integrating the profound truths of the Gospel with the challenges in our daily lives. Their journeys should remind us that the call to follow Christ is not a guarantee of perfection, but a lifelong pilgrimage filled with challenges and moments of growth. It is far too easy to make assumptions about one another’s beliefs or to criticize our lived faith without understanding the internal battles we each face in aligning our actions with the Church’s teachings.

Pope Francis’ letter cautions against policies that reduce the complex reality of migration to a simple matter of legality or criminality, instead urging us to see each individual as a person with intrinsic worth, regardless of their circumstances. In much the same way, we should recognize the struggles of our public leaders. Their personal conflicts with Church teaching and the pressures of public service are too often laid bare to public examination, and we usurp the Lord’s place in passing judgment on their internal struggles.

In the spirit of Lent and the promise of Easter, let us channel these reflections into concrete acts of faith. This season calls us to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—traditional practices that not only deepen our own spiritual lives but also offer a powerful witness to the love and dignity that each person bears as an image of God. We must pray for immigration reform that honors human dignity, urging our leaders to adopt policies that welcome and protect those in need, while safeguarding the common good. Let us fast as a reminder of the sacrifices our vulnerable have made in their quests for freedom and safety. Let us give alms, in solidarity with migrants and refugees, supporting organizations and initiatives that work to humanize immigration policy.

Right now, we see “through a mirror darkly,” and it seems difficult to pray for those with whom we do not agree. But Jesus tells us to “…Pray for those who persecute you…” In doing so, we honor the spirit of Pope Francis’ message and help build a nation where policies reflect not just the letter of the law, but the heart of the Gospel—a nation blessed by the love of God and united in compassion for all.

This article first appeared in the April/May 2025 edition of The Catholic Key Magazine