The Pope was interviewed on Italian television's Canale Nove. There he spoke about his autobiography, "Hope", but also addressed current issues such as the global migration crisis.
The Pope insisted that migrants be welcomed, as was the case in his native Argentina.
POPE FRANCIS
The migrant must be welcomed, accompanied, promoted and integrated. This is our experience in Argentina, a country of migrants. We have this experience of integration. Italians, the “tanos”, Spaniards, the “gallegos” and the Ukrainian, the Russian came to us… but all integrated. All integrated. It is a country where integration takes place. If the migrant is not integrated, it is a problem. He must make a homeland with the others.
The interviewer asked the Pope what he thinks about U.S. immigration policy. The Biden Administration has seen one of the highest number of deportations in the past decade. President Trump has promised to take a hard line on those who cross the border illegally.
POPE FRANCIS
But that, if it is true, will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor unfortunates who have nothing pay the bill. Not like that. This is not how things are resolved. This is not how they are resolved.
Migration policy may be a sensitive point in relations between the Trump Administration and the Vatican. However, there are other points where the two leaders have shown complete harmony.
JRB
TR: GS
