Pope Francis criticized Donald Trump’s plan to deport undocumented migrants from the U.S., calling it a “disgrace” during an interview with an Italian TV show from the Vatican. He warned that such actions would unfairly burden vulnerable people, saying, “That’s not how problems are solved.”
Trump has pledged to begin the largest removal of undocumented immigrants in U.S. history shortly after taking office. The Pope, known for his strong support for migrants, urged Trump to lead a society without hatred or exclusion, promoting peace instead.
In his message to Trump, Francis extended “cordial greetings” and reminded him of the need to build a world where discrimination and exclusion have no place, as BBC reported.
Francis has often spoken out about the treatment of migrants. In 2016, he criticized Trump’s proposal to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, saying, “A person who thinks only about building walls and not bridges is not Christian.” Though the two later met during Trump’s 2017 visit to the Vatican, their views on migration remain sharply different.
BBC highlighted how Francis tied migration issues to Europe, noting that countries like Italy and Spain, which face population declines, could benefit from well-planned migrant policies. He described migration as both a right and an opportunity, stressing that countries struggling with empty villages and aging populations could address these issues with proper support for migrants.
Addressing broader global conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Pope lamented what he called an international trend toward “self-destruction” and expressed frustration at the difficulty of achieving peace.
As BBC outlined, Francis, who has been Pope since 2013, continues to champion compassion and solidarity, particularly for society’s most vulnerable, including migrants.
His words challenge leaders to prioritize humanity over division.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0jnz8q6p32o