Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said he felt “overwhelmed” after an unexpected show of support from Pope Leo XIV amid a wave of criticism from Catholic leaders over the senator's views on abortion rights.

Sen. Durbin, a longtime advocate for abortion access and a devout Catholic, declined a lifetime achievement award after prominent U.S. bishops opposed the honor, prompting Pope Leo XIV to urge that the senator's broader record be taken into account, as NBC News reports.

The controversy began after Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago nominated Durbin for a lifetime achievement award recognizing his work on immigration reform. The senator's decades of advocacy, particularly for immigrant rights, prompted the cardinal to spotlight his efforts during a church-affiliated event.

However, the nomination prompted immediate backlash from within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Many church leaders opposed the idea of honoring Durbin due to his longstanding support for abortion rights policy, which contradicts Catholic teaching.

As criticism mounted, Durbin made the decision to pull out of the award process. He said he was genuinely surprised by the intensity of the reactions and wanted to prevent further harm to Cardinal Cupich’s leadership and reputation within the church.

Pope responds to unrest among church leaders

In a rare public statement touching on American political affairs, Pope Leo XIV weighed in on the situation during a press briefing on Tuesday. He acknowledged he had limited knowledge of the details but emphasized the importance of assessing Durbin's full legacy.

According to Catholic News Service, the pope emphasized Durbin's lengthy service, saying it was worth looking at his entire professional contribution, which spans roughly four decades in the Senate. That perspective, he added, should balance the debate more fairly among Catholic critics.

“I think it’s important to look at the overall work that a senator has done during, if I’m not mistaken, in 40 years of service in the United States Senate,” Pope Leo XIV told reporters during the briefing.

Durbin reflects on the decision and support

Durbin reacted strongly to the pontiff’s remarks, saying he was taken aback by the gesture. “I was overwhelmed,” Durbin said, expressing both amazement and gratitude at the pope’s choice to defend him.

The senator also explained why he decided to reject the award nomination altogether. “Because the reaction has been so controversial against the Cardinal who proposed it, and I see no point in going forward with that,” he said.

A senior member of the Democratic Party, Durbin has served in the Senate since 1997 and is currently the second-highest-ranking Democrat in the chamber. His pro-choice stance has long been a source of tension between him and some Catholic officials.

Church-state tensions flare again

While church leaders often differ in how they approach the intersection of faith and politics, this latest episode underscores persisting tensions in balancing Catholic doctrine with complex political realities. Durbin’s case exemplifies that friction, as some Catholics seek a broader view of morality beyond single issues.

The growing divide between elements of the Catholic hierarchy on how to engage with lawmakers like Durbin also reflects a global trend under Pope Leo XIV, who has encouraged the Church to focus on compassion and social justice while still upholding core teachings.

By defending Durbin's overall record, the pope sent a clear message about the value of holistic judgment. His comments suggest that public service, particularly on matters like immigration, also holds moral weight in the Church’s eyes.

Looking ahead amid religious and political divides

Whether the pope’s comments will influence the broader conversation among U.S. bishops remains to be seen. Some leaders might feel reaffirmed in opposing Durbin's views on abortion, while others could feel emboldened to broaden how they evaluate public figures with complex records.

Durbin's experience may serve as a case study for future interactions between Catholic leaders and Catholic politicians. As societal debates continue around abortion and religious freedom, the question of who is deemed worthy of recognition is likely to endure.

For now, Durbin has stepped out of the spotlight but expressed gratitude for an endorsement that left him “shocked” yet uplifted. The pope’s remarks have stirred new layers of conversation about how Catholics, and the institutions they serve, engage with public service in all its dimensions.