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Barack Obama, with his wife Michelle at his side, takes the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States Jan. 20 in Washington. Obama has become the nation's first African-American president. He was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts. (CNS/Reuters)

Catholic leaders are hoping President Barack Obama will effectuate reform to the U.S. immigration system, according to a story published by Catholic News Service today.

The senior leaders,  participating in the Sixth World Meeting of Families in Mexico City, hoped the administration would “usher in more favorable immigration policies that include putting an end to the workplace raids that often separate parents from their children.”

“There are many aspects that have to be considered, but I hope that the new president will have the cooperation of the Senate and other bodies to think deeply about this question and the higher position of the United States,” Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, told the news service Jan. 15.

The archbishop added that the new U.S. administration had the opportunity to regain authority in the areas of “human rights, freedom and justice.”

His comments were echoed by others attending the Jan. 14-18 Vatican-sponsored meeting of families in Mexico City.

Also from CNS on the new president:

• Historic inaugural seen as chance to recall place of religion in U.S.
• Nation’s religious heritage ‘a strength, not a weakness,’ Obama says
• Pope congratulates Obama on Inauguration Day
• Don’t reverse policies protecting unborn, cardinal urges Obama