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In a provocative move just before Donald Trump’s inauguration, Pope Francis criticized the president-elect’s planned deportation of illegal immigrants from the United States, describing it as disgraceful.
During a televised interview on Italy’s *Che Tempo Che Fa*, the pontiff addressed questions about Trump’s immigration policies. The show’s host, Fabio Fazio, mentioned Trump’s intention to begin expelling irregular immigrants within days of taking office.
When questioned about communication with Trump, Francis revealed he hadn’t spoken with him since their Vatican meeting in May 2017, implying no congratulatory message had been extended following the election.
The Pope speaks with forked tongue. Calls Trump's deportations a disgrace; yet the Vatican has toughened sanctions for those who try to illegally enter its territory…
The Pope needs to focus on the pedophile priests in his church and let Trump handle America…
Source:… pic.twitter.com/WtQ2lPmjyf
— Candace (@roycan79) January 20, 2025
The pope expressed strong disapproval of the deportation plans, stating: “But if it’s true, this will be a disgrace, because it makes these poor wretches, who have nothing, pay the price for the imbalance. This isn’t right. This is not the way to solve things.”
Earlier in January, Francis had emphasized the importance of treating migrants with dignity rather than viewing them as a management issue. In his annual address to diplomatic representatives, he expressed concern about the negative perception of migration.
“I find it greatly disheartening to see that migration is still shrouded in a dark cloud of mistrust, rather than being seen as a source of empowerment,” he declared. The pope emphasized that migrants shouldn’t be “treated like objects to be moved about,” highlighting their inherent dignity, experiences, and potential contributions.
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The Pope condemned President-elect Trump’s mass deportation plans, calling them a disgrace. pic.twitter.com/zfabyw6xRP
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 20, 2025
However, in an apparent contradiction, the Vatican recently strengthened its own border security measures. New regulations impose substantial penalties for unauthorized entry into Vatican territory, including fines between 10,000 and 25,000 euros and prison terms ranging from one to four years.
The Vatican’s decree specifically addresses deceptive entry attempts, clarifying that circumventing security systems or avoiding border controls constitutes deception under the new rules.
As the world’s only fully walled sovereign state, Vatican City maintains strict border control through Swiss Guard personnel and armed gendarmes. The territory remains largely sealed off during nighttime hours, with just one entry point remaining accessible.