Pope Leo XIV has appointed a former undocumented immigrant from El Salvador as the new bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in the United States, marking a significant and symbolic leadership decision within the Catholic Church.

The appointee, Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, once entered the United States as an undocumented migrant after a perilous journey from El Salvador in the 1990s. He later became a U.S. citizen, entered the priesthood, and rose through the Church hierarchy, eventually serving as an auxiliary bishop in Washington, D.C.

His appointment by Pope Leo places him in charge of a predominantly rural diocese in West Virginia, making him one of the most prominent examples of a migrant-background cleric leading a U.S. Catholic jurisdiction. Church records show that Menjivar-Ayala has been widely involved in pastoral work, particularly with immigrant and marginalized communities.

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The decision has been interpreted within the Church as consistent with Pope Leo’s broader emphasis on inclusion and support for migrants. The Pope has repeatedly spoken about the dignity of migrants while also affirming that nations have the right to regulate borders under legal frameworks.

Menjivar-Ayala’s life story has drawn attention due to his early years of repeated attempts to enter the U.S., eventually succeeding after being smuggled across the border. After settling in the country, he worked low-wage jobs before pursuing religious studies and ordination in 2004.

He is expected to be installed as bishop in July 2026, taking over leadership of the diocese at a time when the Catholic Church in the U.S. continues to face debates over immigration, diversity, and pastoral outreach to migrant communities.

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