Chicago’s interfaith coalition, the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, is preparing a historic pilgrimage to the Vatican. After a federal judge ruled in their favor and restored daily religious visits to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center in Broadview, about 30 clergy members will travel to Rome Oct. 26‑31 to meet Pope Leo XIV.
Local victory for religious liberty
The coalition, led by Father Leandro Fossá of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Melrose Park, sued the Department of Homeland Security in November after ICE barred faith leaders from ministering inside the Broadview facility. The lawsuit argued that the ban violated First Amendment and religious‑freedom rights. In May, a federal judge sided with the coalition, and immigration officials agreed to resume daily visits.
Since the ruling, more than 70 religious leaders have entered the detention center each day, providing pastoral care to over 1,000 detainees. The group includes priests, pastors, sisters, deacons and leaders from Unitarian Universalist, Catholic, Protestant and other traditions, reflecting Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods such as Back of the Yards, Austin, North Lawndale, Bronzeville, Cicero, Melrose Park, Rogers Park and Evanston.
Pope Leo’s support and the upcoming trip
During his recent general audience, Pope Leo XIV urged immigration authorities to allow detainees to receive spiritual care. The coalition sees the upcoming audience on Oct. 28 as an opportunity to thank the Pope and ask for continued prayers for immigrant families.
Executive Director Michael Okińczyc‑Cruz explained, “The pilgrimage to Rome is an opportunity to have this encounter, to thank him and ask for ongoing prayers.” The delegation will also meet with the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on Oct. 27 and take photos with the Pope on Oct. 28.
Stories from the front lines
Clergy members recount powerful moments with detainees. One man described receiving a meal labeled “dog food” in an Indiana facility, prompting Father Fossá to remind him, “You are God’s child, not a dog.” Another detainee, a Venezuelan who spent a month in a Brazilian detention center, expressed gratitude for the simple act of being seen and prayed for.
“It’s a practice of listening, not of imposing religious ideology,” Fossá said. The coalition emphasizes that their work is an extension of social‑justice ministry, offering hope and human connection to families torn apart by immigration enforcement.
Challenges ahead
While the coalition celebrates its legal win, ICE has recently reduced visitation hours, ending weekend visits and cutting daily hours to end at 2 p.m. Leaders say they will adjust schedules but remain committed to serving detainees every weekday.
“The surge in immigration arrests this summer shows there may not be an end in sight to our mission,” Okińczyc‑Cruz warned. “What’s more concerning is the scale of detention centers being built, which tells us they will try to fill those beds.”
Looking forward
In Rome, the delegation will deliver handwritten letters from detainees, including a Nicaraguan mother separated from her young children and a man who lamented losing his job and being detained. They hope the Pope’s prayers will bolster their efforts back home.
Back in Chicago, the coalition plans to continue daily visits, advocating for humane treatment of illegal immigrants and defending their dignity as fellow children of God.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
