During his U.S. tour, Fr. Mattia Ferrari, Coordinator of the World Meeting of Popular Movements at the Vatican (an initiative of Pope Francis), met with TMO, EPISO, CTI, One LA, and COPA leaders to hear stories of organizing and discuss the importance of popular movements being led by poor and working-class people. They were joined by César Piscoya, Pastoral Advisor for the Latin American Episcopal Council, and Luca Caserini, Founder of Mediterranea Saving Humans.

In Monterey County, CA (top photo), COPA leaders had a dialogue with the Vatican delegation, Bishop Ramon Bejarano, and senior diocesan staff. Immigrant leaders took the delegation on a tour of farmworker communities and welcomed them to a church action in Pajaro to enroll immigrants without legal status in public healthcare, an initiative secured by COPA leaders.

In Los Angeles, One LA leaders hosted Fr. Ferrari for their sixth public hearing on how ICE raids have upended daily and communal life, bringing fear into every moment spent in public. 

Immigration has been a central theme throughout the U.S. tour, according to Religion News Service, which quotes Fr. Ferrari stating:

This is a matter of love, a matter of human dignity, a matter of the gospel. Because what these people are suffering — this pain — is also our pain because we are brothers and sisters,”

In Houston, Texas IAF leaders took the Vatican delegation on a tour of the Harris Health Dialysis Clinic and the Ben Taub Hospital Expansion, sharing stories of how TMO leaders expanded health care access for Harris County residents, including immigrants. They also convened a conversation with the delegation, Archbishop Joe S. Vasquez, and Bishop Italo Del Oro on how religious leaders are standing with immigrants and the role of the church in social action.

Vatican-backed Priest Tours US to Visit Immigrant Advocates, Community Organizers, Religion News Service [pdf]