ope Francis delivered a scathing critique of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportation plan, calling it a “disgrace” during an appearance on the Italian talk show Che Tempo Che Fa. His comments come just one day before Trump’s inauguration, as the president-elect doubles down on his controversial immigration agenda.
“If true, this will be a disgrace. This is not the way to solve things,” Pope Francis said in response to reports of sweeping immigration raids planned in Chicago shortly after Trump takes office.
A history of clashes
The pontiff’s comments reignite a long-standing feud between the two leaders, which first erupted during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Pope Francis criticized Trump’s plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, declaring it “not Christian.” Trump fired back, labeling the pope “disgraceful” and “a very political person.”
Though the two appeared to mend fences during Trump’s 2017 visit to the Vatican—an encounter Trump described as “the honor of a lifetime”—their ideological differences have remained stark.
Trump’s immigration agenda
Trump has vowed to deport millions of undocumented immigrants starting on his first day in office, calling it “the largest deportation program in American history.” His hardline stance on immigration was a cornerstone of his campaign and remains one of his most polarizing policies.
Critics argue that such measures could tear families apart and harm communities. Pope Francis, a vocal advocate for the rights of migrants and refugees, echoed these concerns while urging nations to adopt more compassionate immigration policies.
Pope’s plea for integration
While the pontiff criticized Trump’s approach, he also stressed the importance of integrating migrants into their host countries, highlighting falling birth rates as a reason for greater acceptance of newcomers.
“Italy has an average age of 46 … let migrants in,” he said. “But if the migrant is not integrated, it is a problem.”
Biden’s absence amid transition
The comments come as outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden, the second Catholic president in American history, prepares to leave office. Biden had planned to meet with Pope Francis during a final overseas trip but canceled the visit due to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
As Trump prepares to assume office, the contrast between his immigration policies and Pope Francis’ vision of inclusion underscores the ideological divide between the two leaders. The stage is set for further tension as Trump’s administration begins to implement its controversial agenda.