ROME – Pope Francis lambasted President-elect Donald Trump on the eve of his inauguration, calling his plan to deport illegal immigrants from the United States “a disgrace.”
Appearing on Italian state television on Sunday night, the pope was asked about Trump's plan to deport him, to which he replied: “This is not the way to solve things.”
During the 49-minute interview, host Fabio Fazio said: Che Tempo Che Fa (“What Weather We're Have”) recalled that Monday was Trump's inauguration and that Trump had vowed to “begin a plan to remove illegal immigrants from the United States within two days.” .
Asked if he had spoken to President Trump about the matter, the Pope said he had not spoken to the president-elect since visiting the Vatican in May 2017, indicating that he had not congratulated Trump on his election. .
“But if that is true, this is shameful, because these poor, poor people who have nothing will be made to pay the price of the imbalance,” Francis said of the deportation plan. . “This is not right. This is not the way to solve things.”
On January 9, Pope Francis declared that immigrants should not be treated as “a problem that I can do something about” but should be “welcomed” for their skills and aspirations.
“I am deeply disappointed to see that immigration is not seen as an empowering force and remains shrouded in a dark cloud of mistrust,” the pope said. said He said this in his annual address to members of the diplomatic corps.
“People on the move are simply seen as a problem to be managed,” he lamented, arguing that they should not be “treated like objects to be moved.”
Immigrants “have dignity and resources to offer to others. They have unique experiences, needs, fears, aspirations, dreams, skills and talents,” he said.
What is needed, the Pope said, is an international effort to combat the phenomenon of migration by creating “safe regular channels.”
At the same time, the Vatican recently announced tightened border controls and threatened harsh penalties for anyone who enters its territory or violates its airspace without permission.
In a recent decree, the Vatican announced that anyone who violates the border will be subject to a fine of between 10,000 and 25,000 euros and a prison sentence of 1 to 4 years.
“Anyone who enters the territory of Vatican City through violence, intimidation, or deception shall be punished with imprisonment from one to four years and a fine from 10,000 euros to 25,000 euros,” the Italian document reads. are.
The document went on to clarify its understanding of “deception,” noting that it includes sneaking onto Vatican territory without authorization.
“Entry by fraudulently circumventing national security and protection systems or evading border controls will be considered to have been carried out by ‘deception,’” the Decree clarifies.
Vatican City is the world's only fully walled sovereign territory, with Swiss Guards stationed at its entrance and armed military police not far away. All but one entrance is strictly locked from dusk until dawn.
