Pope Leo XIV names El Salvador-born former undocumented immigrant bishop in the United States

A symbolically strong nomination. Pope Leo

The Vatican announced in a press release the appointment of Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, 56, currently auxiliary bishop in Washington, bishop of the diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia.

Born in El Salvador, Evelio Menjivar-Ayala emigrated to the United States in 1990, according to the Diocese of Washington website.

He said he was born into poverty and fled armed conflict in his country by emigrating to the United States.

Arrested in Mexico on his way to the United States

First arrested in Mexico while trying to enter the United States, he said in an interview last year that he paid a bribe to be released and crossed the border in Tijuana. He was ordained a priest in 2004.

“He speaks English, Spanish and Italian and received an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Georgetown University in 2024. Throughout his ministry, Evelio has actively supported workers and continues to promote social justice for immigrants,” details a portrait published on the website of an NGO dedicated to interreligious relations.

US-born Pope Leo

He also described the US president’s policy towards migrants as “extremely disrespectful”, calling for “treating people with humanity”.