By Kolawole Ojebisi
Pope Francis has berated incoming president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, over his insistence on ensuring mass deportation of immigrants immediately he takes over the reins of power from President Joe Biden.
Trump, who shows no desire of backing down about this move, has described it as “ambitious plan” stressing that it’s one of his priorities after assuming office.
But reacting to Trump’s vaunted plan, Pope Francis said it would be a “disgrace” for the US president-designate to carry out the immigration policy
The pontiff’s remarks came as he reflected on Trump’s pledges, nearly a decade after condemning his proposal to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border as “not Christian.”
Francis made the comments during an appearance on the popular Italian talk show Che Tempo Che Fa on Sunday night.
He said, “If true, this will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill for the problem. This won’t do! This is not the way to solve things. That’s not how things are resolved.”
In a similar vein, U.S. Catholic leaders have similarly denounced Trump’s deportation agenda.
Cardinal Robert McElroy, the incoming archbishop of Washington D.C., described such policies as “incompatible with Catholic doctrine.” He cited the Biblical mandate to “welcome the stranger.”
Chicago Cardinal Blasé Cupich also condemned the reports of deportation plans targeting Chicago.
Speaking from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Cupich said, “Governments have the responsibility to protect borders and communities. But we also are committed to defending the rights of all people, and protecting their human dignity.”
Meanwhile, to show that he has no axe to grind with Trump but just against his mass deportation policy, on Monday, the pope followed up his remarks with an official telegram.
In the telegram, the Pope congratulated Trump on his inauguration, expressing hope that America would remain true to its ideals.
“It is my hope that under your leadership the American people will prosper and always strive to build a more just society, where there is no room for hatred, discrimination or exclusion,” Francis wrote.
Trump, who is being sworn in today (Monday), made mass deportations a key issue of his campaign, vowing to introduce immediate changes to immigration policy through executive orders.
His earlier plans to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border had also drawn sharp criticism from Francis during his 2016 presidential campaign.
