In the days surrounding Donald Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States, Pope Francis expressed deep concern over the incoming president’s plans for mass deportations of immigrants, describing the move as a “disgrace” and warning that it would unfairly burden vulnerable people. The Pope, who has long championed the rights of migrants, continued his outspoken defense of the dignity of displaced persons, calling on the U.S. to uphold its values of justice and inclusion.
During an appearance on the Italian talk show Che Tempo Che Fa, according to AP, Pope Francis addressed the topic of Trump’s immigration policies, specifically his pledge to carry out large-scale deportations. “If true, this will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill,” the Pope said. “This won’t do! This is not the way to solve things. That’s not how things are resolved” (AP, 2025). This statement echoes Francis’ longstanding call for a more compassionate approach to immigration, one that prioritizes the protection and dignity of individuals over political expediency.
The Pope’s remarks were not the first time he criticized Trump’s approach to immigration. In 2016, during Trump’s presidential campaign, Francis famously called anyone who sought to build walls to keep out migrants “not Christian.” His words, spoken after celebrating Mass along the U.S.-Mexico border, reflected his belief that the Christian faith requires openness and hospitality toward the marginalized, including immigrants and refugees.
As the U.S. prepared for a new administration, Pope Francis also sent a telegram of congratulations to President Trump on Inauguration Day. In the message, he expressed hope for a prosperous America, praying that the nation would live up to its ideals of being a “land of opportunity and welcome for all.” The Pope wrote, “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” (AP, 2025).
U.S. Catholic leaders have also voiced strong opposition to Trump’s deportation policies. Cardinal Robert McElroy, the incoming archbishop of Washington, D.C., has described such policies as “incompatible with Catholic doctrine,” referencing the Biblical call to “welcome the stranger.” In a similar vein, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich condemned reports of mass deportations in the Chicago area, calling them “profoundly disturbing” and a source of deep pain. Cupich emphasized that governments must protect borders but also defend the rights and human dignity of all people, including immigrants (AP, 2025).
Pope Francis’ commitment to the rights of migrants is rooted in his personal experiences growing up in Argentina as the son of Italian immigrants. He has consistently called for a balanced approach to migration, one that integrates the protection of national borders with the need to protect vulnerable populations. In his view, the dignity and rights of migrants must take precedence over national security concerns, a perspective that has often placed him at odds with more restrictive immigration policies.
As the debate over immigration policy continues in the U.S., Pope Francis remains a vocal advocate for the protection of migrants. His teachings offer a reminder of the Church’s call to welcome the stranger, support the marginalized, and uphold human dignity in the face of political challenges.
