Pope Francis criticized potential plans for mass deportations in the United States under President-elect Donald Trump during a wide-ranging Italian television interview on Sunday.
“If this is true it is a disgrace because it makes the poor unfortunate who have nothing pay the price of imbalance.
This is not how things are solved,” the pope said on Italian broadcaster Nove’s “Che Tempo Che Fa” program on Jan. 19, speaking about plans to deport immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally.
The U.S. bishops said in November they would speak out forcefully if Trump does advance the proposal in a way that undermines human dignity.
There are an estimated 11.7 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., according to July 2023 statistics from the Center for Migration Studies.
Pope announces female president for Vatican City
Francis also announced that Sister Raffaella Petrini will become the first female president of the Vatican City State governorate this March, elevating her from her current position as secretary-general.
“The work of women in the Curia has progressed slowly but effectively. Now, we have many,” Pope Francis said during the televised conversation.
The appointment of Petrini will take effect following the retirement of Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga from his current position as president of the governorate.
