Pope Francis has called on U.S. bishops to actively support migrants amid the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts, emphasizing that there is no biblical justification for such removals.
In a strongly worded letter on Tuesday, the pontiff urged the American Catholic leadership to provide humanitarian aid and advocate for the dignity of those facing forced removal from the United States.
The Pope’s message comes as U.S. immigration authorities ramp up deportations, with Vice President JD Vance defending the crackdown by citing theological arguments.
Francis directly countered such reasoning, stressing that mass deportations undermine the fundamental dignity of human beings and violate the core principles of Christianity.
“The act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution, or serious deterioration of the environment damages the dignity of many men and women and of entire families and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness,” the Pope wrote.
Francis acknowledged a nation’s right to maintain security and protect its citizens but emphasized that these measures should not come at the expense of human compassion and moral responsibility.
Citing biblical narratives of migration, including the exile of the people of Israel, the journey of the Holy Family to Egypt, and Jesus Christ’s own experiences, the Pope reinforced the universal right to seek refuge in a foreign land.
He also directed bishops to take an active role in supporting migrants, calling on them to extend aid, shelter, and advocacy in their dioceses. “As shepherds of the faithful, it is imperative that you stand in solidarity with those who are being displaced and denied their fundamental rights,” he wrote.
The Pope’s stance has intensified an ongoing debate within the U.S. Catholic Church, where some clergy and faithful are divided on the issue of immigration. While many bishops have previously criticized harsh immigration policies, others have been more cautious in addressing the political aspects of the issue.
This is not the first time Francis has clashed with former President Donald Trump on migration. During Trump’s first administration, the Pope condemned plans to build a border wall, famously stating that anyone who seeks to exclude migrants is “not a Christian.”
With the latest crackdown reigniting tensions, Pope Francis’ message serves as both a moral directive and a challenge to the U.S. Catholic hierarchy, urging them to uphold Christian teachings by protecting the vulnerable rather than justifying their expulsion.
