Pope Francis on Donald Trump
Pope Francis has made several public statements detailing his reservations about Donald Trump, especially concerning immigration policy during both the 2016 campaign and subsequent terms in office. The Pope explicitly stated that a person who focuses only on building walls rather than bridges is not Christian, directly addressing Trump's border wall proposal in 2016.
This critical posture continued with Trump's plans for mass deportation. Pope Francis called the idea of mass deportation a “disgrace” ahead of Trump's second inauguration, arguing it unjustly burdens the poor and marginalized. He stressed that resolving issues by such means is not the appropriate path.
Francis has consistently championed migrants and refugees, framing his critique of Trump through the lens of Catholic social teaching regarding human dignity and fraternity. He has exhorted the faithful to reject anti-immigrant narratives that cause unnecessary suffering to migrant brothers and sisters.
Context
Pope Francis, as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church and a significant global moral voice, often weighs in on issues affecting migrants, refugees, and the poor. His interactions with Donald Trump are significant because Trump's policies, especially on immigration, stood in direct contrast to the Pope's deeply held pastoral concerns.
The Pope's role allows him to frame political actions within a moral and religious context, making his criticisms of Donald Trump carry weight with Catholic populations worldwide and beyond. His comments often focus on the theological concepts of human dignity and the 'common good.'
Timeline
- Pope Francis publicly questioned whether Donald Trump was Christian based on his stance on building a border wall.
- Following the ending of the DACA program by the Trump administration, the Pope expressed hope the decision would be re-thought, referencing the need to protect family unity.
- Pope Francis condemned President Trump's threat of mass deportation of immigrants as a 'disgrace' in an interview on Italian television.
- The Pope issued a strong rejection of Trump's approach to immigration in a letter to U.S. bishops, urging Catholics to oppose anti-immigrant narratives.
Key Quotes
A person who only thinks about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.
If it is true, it will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill for the inequalities.
I exhort all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters.
Sources5
Pope Francis to Trump: Reject 'hate, discrimination or exclusion' | National Catholic Reporter
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.