In brief
In an interview, the Pope highlights the need for a more humane approach to migration, rejecting policies that promote exclusion and suffering.
In a recent statement, Pope Francis expressed strong disapproval of Donald Trump's imminent plans to deport illegal migrants from the United States, branding them a "disgrace". During an Italian television interview from the Vatican, the Pope articulated his concerns, stating that such policies would unfairly burden the most vulnerable members of society, calling it "not right" to solve issues in this manner.Trump's assurance of initiating the largest removal of undocumented immigrants in U.S. history soon after taking office has drawn sharp criticism from the Pope, who shared heartfelt greetings with the former president while urging him to foster a society characterized by "no room for hatred, discrimination or exclusion" and to promote peace among diverse communities. The Pope, a known advocate for migrant rights, previously condemned systematic efforts to expel migrants as a "grave sin". Reflecting on Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, he remarked, "a person who thinks only about building walls... and not of building bridges, is not Christian," indicating that such views contradict Christian values.During an earlier visit to Rome in 2017, Trump and his family met with the Pope, after which the pontiff refrained from endorsing any political candidates in the upcoming 2024 election. Instead, he called on citizens to vote based on their conscience and select the "lesser evil".In addressing the broader migration crisis in Europe, Pope Francis highlighted the current struggles faced by southern European nations that are experiencing demographic challenges due to declining birth rates, stressing the necessity of a comprehensive migration policy that could benefit both migrants and host countries. He also lamented the ongoing conflicts in regions like Ukraine and the Middle East, wondering aloud why achieving peace remains so elusive.Francis, who has held the papacy since 2013, continues to advocate for a more humane and thoughtful approach to migration while simultaneously addressing global issues that affect the plight of many.
