Pope Francis has strongly criticised President-elect Donald Trump’s reported plans to intensify immigration enforcement in the United States, calling the proposed raids a “disgrace.”
Speaking during an interview with Italy’s “Che Tempo Che Fa” programme on Sunday, the Pope expressed deep concern about the impact of the planned actions on vulnerable migrants. “It would make the migrants, who have nothing, pay the unpaid bill,” he said. “It doesn’t work. You don’t resolve problems this way.”
The pontiff, who leads the global Catholic Church with over 1.4 billion members, is known for being cautious about political matters. However, he has made migration a central theme of his papacy, often speaking against policies that harm migrants or strip them of their dignity.
This is not the first time Pope Francis has expressed concerns about Trump’s approach to immigration. During the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, he questioned Trump’s commitment to Christian values, stating that anti-immigrant rhetoric is “not Christian.”
The Trump administration’s reported plans for large-scale immigration raids, including in cities like Chicago, have drawn widespread criticism. The raids aim to target undocumented migrants, but faith leaders and human rights advocates argue that such actions disproportionately harm vulnerable communities.
Chicago’s Catholic archbishop, Cardinal Blase Cupich, described the planned raids as “an affront to the dignity of all people and communities.”
Pope Francis has consistently urged global leaders to adopt compassionate policies toward migrants, reminding them of their moral obligations. His remarks come as incoming Trump officials reportedly consider adjusting the proposed immigration raids due to growing public backlash.
The debate over immigration enforcement in the U.S. is expected to remain a heated issue. Faith leaders like Pope Francis and Cardinal Cupich continue to advocate for the rights and dignity of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Pope Francis’ comments are likely to add pressure on the Trump administration to reconsider its stance on immigration and pursue policies that uphold human dignity and justice.
