ROME — On Tuesday, Pope Francis issued a significant criticism of the Trump administration’s strategy for mass deportation of migrants, emphasizing that forcibly removing individuals solely based on their illegal status strips them of their intrinsic dignity and foretells negative outcomes. The Pope’s remarks were articulated in a letter directed towards U.S. bishops and seemed to confront Vice President JD Vance’s theological justification of the deportation initiatives.
Throughout his papacy, the first Latin American pope has prioritized humanitarian efforts towards migrants, urging nations to welcome, protect, and integrate those fleeing adversities such as conflict, poverty, and environmental catastrophes. He has consistently reminded governments of their duty to assist within the limits of their resources.
The Argentine Jesuit has a history of contention with President Donald Trump regarding immigration policies. Notably, before Trump’s inaugural term, Francis asserted that anyone who constructs a wall to prevent the inflow of migrants “was not a Christian.” In the recent correspondence, the Pope recognized the right for nations to safeguard themselves against criminal activity but stressed the damaging nature of deporting individuals who often leave their home countries due to dire circumstances like extreme poverty, insecurity, or persecution. He pointed out that such actions render many men, women, and families particularly vulnerable and defenseless.
Referencing stories of migration from biblical narratives, including the Book of Exodus and Jesus’s experiences, the Pope reaffirmed that individuals have the right to seek refuge and safety abroad. He acknowledged the significant challenges stemming from the current deportation efforts in the U.S., insisting that any individual well-versed in Christianity should critically evaluate and oppose policies that equate illegal immigration with criminal behavior.
Francis warned, “What is established through force rather than the recognition of the equal dignity of every human being starts poorly and will lead to dire consequences.”
Recently, the White House affirmed that over 8,000 individuals had been apprehended through immigration enforcement actions since Trump assumed presidency, with some deported, others facing detention in federal facilities, and some held at Guantanamo Bay.
Vice President Vance, who converts to Catholicism, has justified the administration’s immigration policies using a medieval Catholic theological concept known as “ordo amoris.” According to him, this principle highlights a priority of care that begins with family, extends to neighbors and communities, and culminates with individuals abroad.
In his letter, Pope Francis appeared to challenge this interpretation, asserting that “Christian love is not a concentric extension of interests” and advocated for a vision of love inspired by the parable of the “Good Samaritan.” He emphasized that true love should cultivate an inclusive fraternity that transcends boundaries without exception.
David Gibson, who directs the center for religion and culture at Fordham University, commented that the Pope’s letter effectively targets the controversial theological assertions made by Vance and his conservative Catholic supporters. He noted that the Pope’s words also serve to counteract misinformation regarding Catholic doctrine propagated by the Vice President.
Vance’s appeal to the ordo amoris has garnered backing from various factions within the Catholic right in the U.S., including the Catholic League, which asserted that his views regarding the hierarchy of Christian love were accurate.
In a piece for Crisis Magazine, editor Eric Sammons suggested that Vance was drawing on traditional teachings from St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, emphasizing that even neighborly love is subordinate to love of God. He contended that this hierarchy dictates that love for one’s family, community, and country takes precedence in matters of duty and accountability.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops previously issued a critical statement in response to Trump’s initial executive orders, expressing deep concern over policies affecting immigrants, refugees, foreign aid, and environmental issues, predicting harmful consequences for society’s most vulnerable.
This represents a notable stance from the U.S. clergy, which typically highlights abortion as the “preeminent priority” for Catholic voters. Notably, Trump carried 54% of the Catholic vote in the 2024 elections, surpassing Biden, who achieved a slim 50% of the Catholic electorate in 2020.
The tension between Trump and Francis concerning migration goes back to the 2016 electoral campaign, during which the Pope visited the U.S.-Mexico border. There, he proclaimed that those who construct barriers against migrants are “not a Christian,” a statement made following a Mass celebration at the border.
However, migration is not the only contentious issue between the Vatican and the U.S. administration. Recently, Caritas International, the Vatican’s prominent charitable organization, cautioned that the cessation of USAID funding by the Trump administration could result in massive loss of life among vulnerable populations. The organization urgently called on officials to urge the administration to reverse this decision.
It is not uncommon for a pope to address specific issues in letters to a nation’s bishops or faithful, as demonstrated in previous communications regarding various crises in Germany, Ukraine, and the Middle East. Yet, it is relatively rare for a pontiff to challenge a country’s political strategy so directly through correspondence, especially considering that migration remains a central focus for the Catholic Church in the United States.
