Pope Leo XIV has appointed Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, a Salvadoran-born priest who once entered the United States as an undocumented immigrant, as the new bishop of West Virginia. The 55-year-old, who had served as an auxiliary bishop in Washington, replaces Bishop Mark E Brennan of Wheeling-Charleston.
Menjivar-Ayala, who became the first Salvadoran bishop in the US in 2023, has publicly criticised Donald Trump's hardline immigration policies. He moved to the US in 1990, hiding in a car trunk to cross the border, after surviving El Salvador's civil war and two failed migration attempts.
Speaking at a news conference, Menjivar-Ayala said he accepted the role 'with great joy and humility'. He emphasised his commitment to listening to young people, the poor, workers and immigrants, stating: 'We are partners in mission.' He also thanked Pope Leo, whom he called the 'first American pope', for his appointment.
Pope Leo has previously criticised the Trump administration's treatment of migrants, describing it as 'extremely disrespectful'. Trump responded on Truth Social, calling the pope 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy'.
