Background on Papa Francisco and His Stance on Donald Trump
Papa Francisco, the former Argentine archbishop of Buenos Aires, was known for his straightforwardness and advocacy for the marginalized. In 2016, he criticized then-presidential candidate Donald Trump for his anti-immigrant stance, stating that “a person who wants to build walls and not bridges is not Christian.” Trump, who later promised to construct a border wall with Mexico, called the comment “scandalous.”
Trump’s Response to Papa Francisco’s Criticism
After Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Papa Francisco continued his criticism of the new administration’s immigration policies. In a rare letter to U.S. bishops, he lamented that the exclusion of individuals fleeing extreme poverty, violence, exploitation, persecution, or environmental degradation “attacks the dignity of many men and women.”
Papa Francisco urged focusing on the Catholic Church’s role in caring for borders and advocated for “open fraternity to all, without exception,” moving beyond personal, communal, or national identities.
Interpretations and Implications
Many commentators interpreted Papa Francisco’s letter as a theological lesson for JD Vance, who invokes the Catholic doctrine “ordo amoris” (order of love) to justify anti-immigrant policies. Vance, a convert to Catholicism in 2019 and recent meeting with the head of the Catholic Church, has also been critical of Trump’s immigration policies.
The conflict between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church has extended to legal battles, with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops challenging the termination of funding for refugee support programs managed by the Church.
Reactions from Christians
Christians across the United States mourn Papa Francisco’s passing, with many expressing deep sadness. Mark Smerkanich, speaking outside the Washington Cathedral, stated that Papa Francisco was “much more Christian than many others,” including those in power who identify as Christian, such as President Trump.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was Papa Francisco? Papa Francisco, whose birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, served as the head of the Catholic Church from 2013 until his death in 2022. He was known for his progressive views and advocacy for the marginalized.
- What was Papa Francisco’s stance on Donald Trump? Papa Francisco criticized Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant policies, stating that building walls instead of bridges is incompatible with Christian values.
- What is “ordo amoris”? “Ordō Amōris” (Order of Love) is a principle in Catholic social teaching that emphasizes love as the guiding force for action and decision-making. Some, like JD Vance, have invoked this principle to justify prioritizing the well-being of one’s own community over that of strangers or foreigners.
- What legal challenges has the Trump administration faced with the Catholic Church? The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has challenged the termination of funding for refugee support programs managed by the Church, highlighting ongoing tensions between the administration and religious institutions.
