Pope Leo XIV Appoints Former Illegal Immigrant as Bishop

Church officials defend selection, citing pastoral experience and personal history amid ongoing immigration debate.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Evelio Menjivar-Ayala as the new head of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, a decision that has drawn attention due to the bishop’s personal immigration history.

Menjivar-Ayala will oversee Catholic parishes across West Virginia following the appointment. Church representatives said the decision was based on his qualifications and pastoral experience, rejecting suggestions that it was intended to carry political implications. A spokesperson for the diocese stated that “any insinuation that the Holy Father made this or any other appointment in any way to increase vitriol or insinuate that it gets back at the president of the United States is absurd,” according to reporting cited by Fox News.

Menjivar-Ayala, originally from El Salvador, left the country as a teenager during a period of civil conflict. After multiple attempts to enter the United States, he eventually crossed the border near San Ysidro, California, concealed in a vehicle.

In recent years, he has spoken publicly on immigration policy, framing the issue in terms of human dignity and rights. His remarks have included responses to criticism from individuals and groups that support stricter enforcement measures.

Supporters of the appointment said his background provides a perspective shaped by personal experience, which they argue can inform his leadership within the church. They noted that immigration remains a central topic of public debate, and that his experience may resonate with communities navigating those issues.

The appointment places Menjivar-Ayala in charge of one of the Catholic Church’s dioceses in the United States, where he will be responsible for clergy oversight, parish administration, and broader pastoral responsibilities across the region.