ROME — Pope Francis expressed strong disapproval of Donald Trump’s proposals to carry out widespread deportations of immigrants, labeling the plans as a “disgrace.” This statement comes in light of Trump’s impending inauguration, nearly ten years since the Pope previously criticized him for aspiring to construct a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border by stating that such intentions were “not Christian.”
During an appearance on an evening talk show, the Pope conveyed his concerns and later sent an official telegram congratulating Trump as he took office. In the telegram, Francis articulated a wish that the United States would embody its foundational ideals as a “land of opportunity and welcome for all.” He expressed hope that under Trump’s guidance, the nation would flourish and pursue a more equitable society devoid of hatred, discrimination, or exclusion.
The first Latin American pope addressed the situation on a popular Italian program, Che Tempo Che Fa, where he reacted to Trump’s proposed immigration reforms. “If true, this will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill for the problem,” Francis remarked. He emphasized that these approaches do not constitute viable solutions to the issues at hand.
Trump, who was inaugurated on Monday, has made immigration reform, particularly large-scale deportations, a central theme in his political agenda. He pledged several executive orders aimed at overhauling immigration policy on his first day in office. When Francis was previously questioned about Trump’s wall proposal in 2016, he condemned the idea, stating that any person building such barriers to restrict migrants is “not Christian.”
Many bishops in the United States have voiced strong opposition to Trump’s deportation plans. The new archbishop of Washington D.C., Cardinal Robert McElroy, declared such policies “incompatible with Catholic doctrine,” referencing the Biblical mandate to “welcome the stranger.” Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, who is close to the Pope, expressed that reports of mass deportations affecting the Chicago area are “not only profoundly disturbing but also wound us deeply.”
In a statement from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Cupich acknowledged that while governments indeed have the duty to safeguard borders and communities, there is also a moral imperative to defend the rights of all individuals and uphold their human dignity.
Pope Francis, raised in Argentina within an Italian immigrant family, has consistently focused on the struggles faced by migrants. He has called for countries to welcome, protect, and integrate immigrants, asserting that the dignity and rights of these individuals take precedence over national security concerns.
