Pope Francis expressed his disapproval towards the approach of the Trump Administration on immigration issues, labeling the president’s massive deportation intentions as ‘a grave predicament.’ He voiced these concerns in a powerfully phrased letter addressed to the U.S. Catholic bishops. In his letter, the Pontiff asserted that Catholics should question any policy that equates illegal immigration with criminal behavior.
Further in his letter, the Pope stated that deportations – which in numerous instances involve individuals fleeing from severe poverty, exploitation, or persecution in their home lands – ‘infringe upon the dignity of countless individuals and families, leaving them in an exceptionally precarious and unprotected state.’
Francis’s letter seems to be a counter-response to Vice President JD Vance’s comments, in which he declared that individuals should primarily care for their own families, communities, and nations prior to worrying about others. Countering this, the Pope recommended that people contemplate on the love that lays the foundation for a brotherhood that is receptive to everyone, without distinctions.
According to Pope Francis, ‘The love in Christianity is not a gradual outreach of interests that progressively includes other individuals or groups.’ He is known to be the second prominent figure within the Catholic Church to voice criticism against Vance, a professed Catholic himself.
Earlier, Vance had cast allegations against the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, accusing them of resettling immigrants for the purpose of obtaining federal funds. In retort to these remarks, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan described Vance’s comments as ‘defamatory’ and ‘disparaging.’
Dolan further invited scrutiny into their financial management, causing it to be thoroughly audited. He rebuffed the notion that the Church was profiting from their assistance to immigrants. ‘Do you think we are gaining profits by assisting the immigrants? We’re experiencing significant financial losses…our intent is far from making profits,’ Dolan firmly stated.