Pope Francis’ death marks the end of a pontificate that stood out for firm positions on social justice, immigration and human rights.
The stance has generated some tensions with world leaders, such as US President Donald Trump, especially regarding Republican’s migration policies.
Francisco, known for his defense of migrants and refugees, was a striking critic of the restrictive measures adopted by the US.
The position generated friction during Trump’s first term and continued in the second, when, in early 2025, disagreements between the Vatican and the White House again gained strength.
Opposition to mass deportations
In January 2025, when Trump announced “the largest deportation operation in the history of the United States,” Francis classified the plan as “a misfortune,” as “the poorest paying the account of inequalities.”
The following month, in a letter to the Bishops of the United States, the Pope again criticized the Trump government’s mass deportation policy, describing it as “a great crisis” that “hurts human dignity.”
“I urge all the faithful of the Catholic Church not to give in to narratives that discriminate and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters,” Francisco said during a Vatican Mass.
The Trump government’s response was immediate. Tom Homan, responsible for immigration and border policies, countered the Pope’s criticism: “May he attend to the Catholic Church and leave the border supervision with us. He wants to criticize us by protecting our borders, but the Vatican also has a wall around him, doesn’t it?”
Opinion Contrary to Trump Wall
Donald Trump visited the Vatican in 2017, accompanied by the first lady Melania. The visit was merely protocol and did not prevent the clashes that would come between the Republican and the pontiff in the Republican’s first term.
One of the biggest criticisms involved Trump’s promise to build a wall between the United States and Mexico to prevent the entry of undocumented immigrants.
“Those who build walls end up becoming their own prisoners,” said Francisco in 2019. “This is history,” he added.
Trump reacted immediately, classifying the pontiff’s statements as “shameful.”
During the pontificate, Francisco worked to strengthen the presence of the Catholic Church in the United States, where about 22% of the population declares itself Catholic.
He named Cardinal Robert McELROY, Trump’s critic as Washington’s archbishop.
This content was originally published in remembering the clashes between Pope Francis and Donald Trump on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
