Pope Francis said on Sunday that migrants are not criminals and called on governments to welcome them with dignity, responding directly to recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump who had criticized the Pope’s stance on migration as weak on crime.
The Pope made the remarks during his weekly Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square, where he denounced the criminalization of people fleeing poverty, war, or persecution. “No migrant is a criminal,” he said, emphasizing that migration should be met with compassion and legal pathways, not suspicion or punitive measures.
His comments come amid heightened political debate in the United States over border policy, following Trump’s recent public criticism of the Pope’s position on immigration. Trump had argued that the Pope’s encouragement of welcoming migrants undermines national security and encourages illegal activity.
The Vatican did not issue a direct rebuttal to Trump’s remarks, but the Pope’s public statement was widely interpreted as a clear response to the U.S. President’s criticism. Observers noted the timing and tone of the address as a deliberate reaffirmation of the Church’s long-standing teaching on the dignity of migrants.
Catholic teaching holds that every person, regardless of legal status, possesses inherent dignity and must be treated with respect. The Pope has consistently advocated for humane migration policies, urging nations to address root causes of displacement while providing safe and legal avenues for those seeking refuge.
As of Monday, the White House had not issued an official response to the Pope’s latest comments. No further public engagement between the two leaders on the matter has been scheduled or announced.
