Pope Francis Denounces Trump's Deportation Plans as 'Disgraceful'

In a recent interview, the Pope emphasized the need for compassion towards migrants while expressing concerns over Trump's immigration strategies.

In a revealing interview with an Italian TV program, Pope Francis publicly condemned Donald Trump's impending plans to deport millions of undocumented migrants from the United States, labeling the proposal a "disgrace" if actualized. Speaking from his Vatican residence, the Pope articulated that such measures would unjustly burden "poor wretches that don't have anything."

He added, "That's not right. That's not how you solve problems." Trump has vowed to initiate the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history shortly after his inauguration.

In a cordial message addressed to Trump that was made public on Monday, Pope Francis urged the president-elect to foster a community devoid of "hatred, discrimination or exclusion," and instead, focus on "peace and reconciliation among peoples."

The Vatican leader has consistently championed the rights of migrants and previously stated in a public audience last August that actively working to drive migrants away was a “grave sin.” Reflecting on Trump's intentions to construct a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, the Pope had previously remarked that a person focusing solely on erecting barriers instead of creating connections "is not Christian."

This relationship between Trump and the Pope has seen interactions in the past; the two met in Rome in 2017 when Trump and his family visited the Vatican. With the 2024 presidential election approaching, the Pope refrained from endorsing either Trump or his likely Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, suggesting instead that voters should select the “lesser evil” based on their conscience.

Pope Francis also addressed the European migrant crisis during the interview, highlighting the "cruelty" involved in migration and asserting that every individual has the inherent right to remain in their homeland or seek refuge elsewhere. He pointed out that Southern European countries facing large influxes of migrants are often dealing with declining birth rates, contributing to vacant villages and an urgent need for workforce support.

In a broader perspective, he commented on global conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, expressing confusion about the ongoing struggle to establish peace. "I don't know why... it's as if there was an international drive towards self-destruction,” said the 88-year-old pontiff, who has been at the helm of the Catholic Church since 2013, following the reign of Pope Benedict XVI.