Pope Francis condemns Trump's deportation plan as a 'disgrace'
Pope Francis criticised Donald Trump's plans regarding the deportation of immigrants from the USA, calling them a "disgrace." He also emphasized that the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a two-state formula. He announced the appointment of a woman to the position of Governor of the Vatican City State.
Donald Trump will assume office as President of the United States on Monday. For many months, even just before the inauguration, he reiterated that he would launch the largest immigrant deportation operation in the country's history. The aim is to close the southern border with Mexico and remove immigrants and criminals, including cartels and street gangs.
During an interview on Nove television, Pope Francis expressed his concern over President-elect Donald Trump's plans to deport illegal immigrants from the USA.
If it is true, it will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing to pay the unpaid bill. It won’t do, said Pope Francis. This is not the way to solve things, he added.
The Pope also addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the conversation, emphasising that the only solution is the two-state formula. Some declare willingness, but others do not. We must persuade with gentle rhetoric, the Polish Press Agency quotes Pope Francis as saying. He added that peace requires courage and often involves certain losses, but it also brings greater benefits.
Pope Francis also addressed the topic of the Holocaust, expressing "pity and shame" for what happened. It was a human disgrace and human pain, he said. In the context of contemporary challenges, the Pope announced the appointment of a woman, Sister Raffaella Petrini, to the position of Governor of the Vatican City State, which will be a historic event. The governorship is the most important office in the Vatican, and the pope manages the country on behalf of the Pope.
During the interview, the Pope also emphasised the importance of closeness and respect for all people, including transgender individuals. The word is closeness, closeness with everyone, everyone, he stressed.
At the end of the conversation, Pope Francis shared an anecdote from when the cardinals chose him as Pope. They are crazy, but let it be as God wants, he recalled his first thought after the election. He also spoke about his first stumble right after the conclave. It was the first stumble of the Pope, said Pope Francis.
