Trump plan to deport migrants a 'disgrace', says Pope

Pope Francis has recently expressed his strong disapproval of Donald Trump's plans to deport illegal immigrants from the United States. He stated that if these plans were to be put into action, it would be a 'disgrace. ' Speaking during an interview on an Italian television program from his residence in the Vatican, the Pope emphasized that such actions would unfairly burden 'poor wretches who have nothing. ' He firmly believes that this approach is not the correct way to address the challenges faced by society. The Pope's message to Trump included 'cordial greetings' and a call for him to lead a society that fosters 'no room for hatred, discrimination, or exclusion,' while promoting 'peace and reconciliation among peoples. ' The issue of migration is one that the Pope holds close to his heart. In a public audience last August, he remarked that 'systematically working by all means to drive away migrants' is considered 'a grave sin. ' Back in 2016, prior to Trump's first presidential election victory, the Pope made a notable statement, saying, 'a person who thinks only about building walls. and not of building bridges, is not Christian. ' This comment was in reference to Trump's promise to construct a wall along the Mexican border to prevent migrants from entering the United States. The Pope stated, 'I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said things like that,' while also expressing a willingness to give Trump the benefit of the doubt regarding his statements. In 2017, Trump and his family had the opportunity to meet with the Pope during their visit to Rome. Ivanka and Melania Trump were seen wearing dark clothing and black veils, while Donald Trump was dressed in a black suit and striped tie, smiling for the camera. The Pope, dressed in his traditional white papal robes, appeared serious during the meeting. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the Pope refrained from endorsing either Trump or his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris. Instead, he encouraged voters to choose 'the lesser evil' based on their own conscience. During the same interview, the Pope also addressed the topic of migration to Europe, highlighting the 'lot of cruelty' involved and affirming that everyone has 'the right to remain home and the right to emigrate. ' He pointed out that some southern European countries that receive a significant number of migrants are facing declining birth rates and require additional labor. He noted, 'In some of these countries, there are entire villages that are empty,' suggesting that a well-thought-out migrant policy could benefit nations like Italy and Spain. Furthermore, the Pope was asked about the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. He expressed his bewilderment at the difficulty of achieving peace, stating, 'I don't know why. it's as if there was an international drive towards self-destruction. ' At 88 years old, Pope Francis has been serving as the Pope since 2013, when he succeeded Pope Benedict XVI. His commitment to addressing pressing issues such as migration and global peace continues to resonate with many around the world.