In a pointed critique, Pope Francis has labeled President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportations of immigrants as a “disgrace,” emphasizing the moral and humanitarian concerns surrounding such actions.
During an appearance on the Italian talk show “Che Tempo Che Fa” on January 19, 2025, the Pope addressed reports of the incoming administration’s plans to intensify immigration enforcement. He stated, “If true, this will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill for the problem.”
He further criticized the approach, asserting, “This won’t do! This is not the way to solve things. That’s not how things are resolved.”
This is not the first time Pope Francis has openly challenged Mr. Trump’s immigration policies. In 2016, he remarked that building walls to keep out migrants was “not Christian,” a direct response to Mr. Trump’s campaign promise to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Pope’s recent comments come amid widespread concern among religious leaders in the United States. Cardinal Robert McElroy, the newly appointed Archbishop of Washington, has described the proposed deportation plans as “incompatible with Catholic doctrine,” referencing the biblical call to “welcome the stranger.” Similarly, Chicago’s Cardinal Blase Cupich expressed that such policies “are not only profoundly disturbing but also wound us deeply.”
Despite his criticisms, Pope Francis extended an olive branch to President-elect Trump by sending a telegram on January 20, 2025, the day of the inauguration. In it, he conveyed his prayers that America would continue to be a “land of opportunity and welcome for all,” and expressed hope that under Mr. Trump’s leadership, the nation would “prosper and always strive to build a more just society, where there is no room for hatred, discrimination or exclusion.”
Pope Francis, himself the son of Italian immigrants to Argentina, has consistently advocated for the rights and dignity of migrants. He has urged governments worldwide to “welcome, protect, and integrate” migrants, emphasizing that their dignity and rights should take precedence over national security concerns.
As the United States prepares for a new administration, the Pope’s remarks highlight the ongoing debate over immigration policies and the ethical responsibilities of nations toward vulnerable populations.
