In a stark condemnation, Pope Francis has described Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportation of immigrants as “a disgrace.” This remark echoes his earlier criticisms of Trump’s hardline immigration policies. Speaking on the popular Italian talk show Che Tempo Che Fa, the Pope highlighted the moral implications of such actions, stating, “If true, this will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill for the problem.” He emphasized that this approach is not an effective solution, saying, “This won’t do! This is not the way to solve things” (AP News).

As Trump prepared to assume office, the Pope took a more conciliatory approach, sending a telegram congratulating him while also urging for a more inclusive America. “It is my hope that under your leadership the American people will prosper and always strive to build a more just society, where there is no room for hatred, discrimination, or exclusion,” he said (Los Angeles Times).

Trump has made mass deportations a cornerstone of his campaign, promising immediate actions to reshape immigration policy upon his inauguration. Notably, this isn’t the first time Francis has voiced concerns regarding Trump’s immigration stance; in 2016, following Mass at the U.S.-Mexico border, he remarked that anyone who builds a wall to keep out migrants is “not Christian.”

The Pope's comments have resonated with many within the Catholic community, with numerous U.S. bishops expressing their firm opposition to Trump’s deportation agenda. Cardinal Robert McElroy, the incoming archbishop of Washington, D.C., has characterized such policies as “incompatible with Catholic doctrine,” referencing the Biblical call to “welcome the stranger.” Another prominent figure, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, stated that the potential targeting of immigrants for deportation “are not only profoundly disturbing but also wound us deeply.”

Reflecting on his own background as the son of Italian immigrants from Argentina, Francis has consistently prioritized the rights and dignity of migrants, calling for governments to adopt policies that welcome and integrate them. His stance challenges the notion that national security should override humanitarian concerns.

For further details, visit AP News and Los Angeles Times.