Pope Leo To Police Officers: Don't Dominate — Protect and Serve Humanity

The pope told police to be missionaries of peace. It’s a message ICE needs to hear before it’s too late.

On Sunday, Pope Leo reminded his police force that their work is “not simply a profession, but a vocation of service” rooted in the gospel.

The pope urged these officers to live their mission as “witnesses of peace” — a call that law enforcement across the United States, from National Guard units to ICE agents, needs to hear today.

“Your presence, often discreet and reassuring, expresses a Gospel style not through words but through attentive gazes and thoughtful gestures that safeguard every person around you,” Pope Leo explained.

Leo argued that an officer’s true mission is to protect and uphold the dignity of every person quietly, not to seek glory or instill fear.

Pope Leo outlined the virtues for those in uniform: “not to dominate, but to serve; not to please authorities, but to show charity; not out of fear, but with prudence and responsibility.”

This approach turns the badge from a symbol of power into a beacon of compassion and justice.

In the United States, this vision faces real tests. Political leaders sometimes push officers toward harsh, unjust tactics — from crackdowns at the border to militarized crowd control — that betray our nation’s values.

The president’s decision to deploy the National Guard in large American cities has angered Catholics across the nation.

Yet the gospel’s imperative of peace must guide every action.

As West Virginia Bishop Mark Brennan of West Virginia warned this summer during the immigration crackdown, government agents “cannot escape personal responsibility for an unjust action” by simply following orders.

He called on those carrying out such policies to “pray for the courage to do the right thing”— even if that means refusing immoral directives — for ultimately “the final judge of our actions is God.”

Just as Pope Leo XIV entrusted his police force to the Virgin Mary and to St. Michael the Archangel, patron of law enforcement, praying that they carry out their duty with courage and faith, we now pray the same for you.

Dear members of America’s law enforcement: your oath is more than a formality; it is a public “yes” to serving the common good.

Live that “yes” each day by being missionaries of peace.

Treat every person you encounter with respect and mercy. Stand up against unjust orders and be a guardian of those who have no one to protect them.

In doing so, you will honor not only your badge and country, but also the God-given dignity of every human being — becoming true peacemakers in our communities.

Letters from Leo is open to anyone who wants to be informed and inspired by our pope — and to turn that inspiration into action that leaves America and the world more just, less cold, and more alive with hope.

If you want to support this mission, here’s how you can help:

• Subscribe as a paid member to receive exclusive posts about the life and formation of Pope Leo and help sustain this newsletter.

• Donate with a one-time gift to fuel this project’s mission.

• Share this post (and Letters from Leo) with a friend who might enjoy it.

Whether you give $0, $1, or $1,000, your presence here matters — no matter your faith or your politics.

Thank you for reading. I’ll see you on the road.