Social media users recently went viral with claims that Pope Leo XIV had commanded priests to attend U.S. immigration courts, but no official directive from the Vatican supports these reports.

Although clergy in San Diego did gather at a courthouse on World Refugee Day, the event was initiated locally and not ordered by the pope, Yahoo News reported.

The speculation began after Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected in May 2025. Soon after his election, several popular users on Threads, X, Bluesky, Facebook, and Reddit alleged that he had begun sending priests and deacons to stand with immigrants at courthouses across the United States.

One Threads post with over 86,000 interactions stated that the pope was dispatching clergy “to stand in solidarity with immigrants as they exit their hearings.” Another viral post on X, which reached over 1.1 million views, presented a similar claim, attributing an organized nationwide effort directly to the pontiff.

These impressions were tied to a letter dated June 11, 2025, allegedly from Bishop-designate Michael Pham of the Diocese of San Diego, who was appointed earlier that year by Pope Leo. The letter invited local Catholic priests and ministry leaders to join him at a federal courthouse gathering on June 20 — World Refugee Day — to express support for migrants.

Event Origins Rooted in Local Diocese Organization

While the letter’s authenticity has not been verified by the Diocese of San Diego, the gathering it described did indeed occur. According to multiple news outlets, including NBC San Diego, ABC 10 News, Episcopal News Service, and the Associated Press, clergy joined Bishop Pham first for a Mass, then for a peaceful show of support near the federal courthouse.

The June 20 Mass was dedicated to immigrants and intended, in Pham’s words, as a way “to give witness and stand with immigrants” on a day devoted to refugee awareness. Pham's statement, reportedly included in the letter, emphasized unity among parish communities across the Diocese in honoring immigrant struggles through prayer and presence.

Video coverage shared by ABC 10 News the day after the event included an interview with Bishop Pham. During the segment, he mentioned his own experience arriving in the United States as a Vietnam War refugee, expressing gratitude for the freedoms he found and concern for today’s migrant families facing legal and emotional hardship.

Anonymous Source Origins Leave Questions

The earliest appearance of the letter came through a blog post on June 11 by Deacon Greg Kandra, who said he received a copy from an anonymous source. When unable to locate it through official diocesan channels, Kandra uploaded the document to his site, noting that its provenance remained uncertain.

On June 12, theology teacher Rich Raho elevated his profile further by sharing the letter across platforms like X and Bluesky, characterizing it as Pope Leo's first major U.S. episcopal initiative by highlighting Pham’s appointment and proposed June 20 event.

However, the Diocese of San Diego has not confirmed the letter’s publication on its website or social media, and no direct comments have been released linking the courthouse event to any Vatican policy or papal decision.

No Vatican Evidence Supports Papal Order

Despite the pope’s connection to Pham through his appointment, no documentation or public statement suggests Vatican involvement in what appears to be a locally organized act of solidarity. Vatican outlets have not issued any commentary on the June 20 event in San Diego or responded to the viral claims.

The media outlets covering the event discussed the Mass and public prayer outside the courthouse but did not mention any ties to papal direction or broader episcopal policy. Instead, coverage focused on Pham’s leadership and personal connection to the migration issue.

“It is sad and disheartening to see these kinds of things playing out in our country today,” Pham said during the ABC 10 interview. He urged communities to treat every person “with dignity and respect,” reflecting a moral and pastoral focus rather than a political or hierarchical mandate from above.

Misinformation Continues to Surround New Papacy

This is only one of several unsubstantiated stories about Pope Leo XIV that have emerged since May. Other viral claims include fabricated quotes, altered photographs, and tales about his background in music, none of which have been confirmed by reliable sources.

Pham has since stated his intention to attend more immigration court hearings in the future, suggesting that his June initiative may be the start of a localized spiritual outreach rather than a broader church directive. Still, no formal announcement of a national program has been made by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Vatican.

As rumors circulate, church observers and media analysts stress the need for careful examination of sources and verification from official church authorities, particularly in an era where social media can amplify misinformation and public assumptions.