Cardinal Blase Cupich Reflects on Pope’s Leadership, Human Dignity for Immigrants During DU Visit

River Forest, IL - Dominican University welcomed Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, this month for an intimate evening of reflection on his participation in the papal conclave, what to expect from Pope Leo XIV's leadership, and how that leadership will shape the Catholic Church's path forward.

An audience of about 120 attendees, consisting of invited students, staff, faculty, university board members, Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters and university supporters, gathered Oct. 13 in Parmer Hall for the address.

"During his visit to Dominican University, Cardinal Cupich brought messages of hope and action to our community," said Dr. Clodagh Weldon, vice president of Mission and Ministry. "He challenged us to a consistent ethic of life and solidarity with our immigrant sisters and brothers."

The Cardinal's prior visits to the River Forest campus included celebrating Ash Wednesday Mass in Rosary Chapel in February 2020 and delivering a community address on "The Church as a Field Hospital" in 2016.

"I always enjoy coming here and being part of this wonderful community," Cupich said, noting that Dominican will mark the 125th anniversary of its founding next year.

In his address, Cupich shared moments from his involvement in the conclave to elect a new pope, suggesting that the late Pope Francis "will go down in history as one of the most historic popes in the life of the church." He shared that Pope Francis gave the church "a new direction" that he believes Pope Leo will continue in his own way.

"There's a clear indication that the agenda of Pope Francis is going to continue, but maybe, like music it modulates in a different key, it will sound a little differently," Cupich said.

He noted that Pope Leo has made immigrants a priority in his writings and statements and has expressed concerns about attempts at mass deportations in the United States.

"He has asked us to make clear that the Church surely respects the rights and obligations of the State to protect its borders, but he's also asked us to point out that we cannot sacrifice human dignity in doing that," Cupich said.