Pope Francis delivered dual messages to Donald Trump on his inauguration as president, urging him to reject “hatred, discrimination or exclusion” and denouncing Trump’s migrant deportation plan as a “disgrace.”
The pontiff delivered the back-to-back messages on Jan. 19 and Jan. 20.
The pope’s brief remarks came in a Sunday night Italian television interview on the eve of Trump’s inauguration for another term as president of the United States where he has vowed to evict millions of immigrants from the country.
“If it is true, it will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill for the inequalities,” said the pope of Trump’s plans for widespread deportation. “It won’t do.”
Francis — who has become one of the most vocal global champions of migrants since his election as pontiff in 2013 — described the incoming president’s plans as “not the way to solve things.”
In a message delivered hours before Trump took the oath of office, Francis said, “Inspired by your nation’s ideals of being a land of opportunity and welcome for all, 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.”
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With thanks to the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) and Christopher White, where this article originally appeared.
