The Letters to Leo campaign invites students of all ages to share their voices and stories with Pope Leo XIV, a native of the Chicagoland area. This toolkit provides educators with guidance, resources, and classroom activities to help students reflect on justice, human dignity, and faith or ethical responsibility, and to channel their concerns about immigration detention and raids into letters or artwork. By participating, students can learn about civic engagement, empathy, and the power of advocacy while contributing to a meaningful campaign.
Use these points to introduce the topic in age-appropriate ways:
Broadview, Illinois, is not meant to be a detention facility but it is being used as such - immigrants are being held under extremely difficult conditions, without access to food, water, showers, or a phone to contact their loved ones or lawyers.
Federal raids and enforcement actions in Chicago have affected families, neighborhoods, and children in local schools.
Pope Leo XIV, who grew up in Chicago, can use his moral authority to bring attention to these issues.
Writing letters or creating artwork for Pope Leo is a way to advocate for justice, practice empathy, and learn about civic responsibility.
Tip: Tailor language for different age groups. Younger students may focus on sharing feelings and drawing pictures; older students can write thoughtful letters or essays and explore systemic issues.
Art Letters: Students draw or paint pictures illustrating community, compassion, or support for detained families.
Feelings Reflection: Have students share how they would feel if someone in their community was taken away or treated unfairly.
Read-Aloud & Discussion: Share a simple story about kindness, community, or welcoming newcomers and relate it to writing to the Pope.
Letter Writing Workshop: Students draft letters describing how immigration enforcement affects their community. Encourage sharing personal experiences or reflections.
Role Play & Empathy Exercise: Assign students scenarios of families navigating detention, prompting them to consider challenges and possible solutions.
Research & Reflection: Students can learn more about human dignity, rights, and the Church’s teaching on justice.
Formal Letter or Essay: Students write letters to Pope Leo, articulating concerns about detention centers, raids, and the impact on communities.
Debate & Discussion: Discuss the ethics of immigration policy and enforcement, incorporating legal, social, and moral perspectives.
Media & Advocacy Projects: Students create short videos, social media campaigns, or artwork that could be included in Letters to Leo.
Sample Letters & Prompts: There is a pre-written example letter here and talking points to draft one's own letter, but these might need to be adapted for different grade levels.
Interdisciplinary Ideas:
Social Studies: Explore civic engagement, law, and human rights.
Religious Studies / Ethics: Discuss Matthew 25 and ethical responsibility.
Art / Media Classes: Encourage creative expression and advocacy.
School-Wide Campaign: Collect letters and artwork from multiple classrooms to submit as a single package.
Service Learning Component: Pair letter-writing with local advocacy, volunteering, or educational presentations.
Display & Awareness: Share students’ letters and artwork in school hallways, newsletters, or websites to raise awareness.