Tensions Escalate Between the Trump Administration and the Catholic Church

Pope Francis issued a pointed critique of the Trump administration on Tuesday, condemning mass deportations in a letter to U.S. Catholic bishops. His message underscored the Church’s longstanding concerns over immigration policies that, he argues, undermine human dignity and place vulnerable families at risk.

Papal Criticism of U.S. Immigration Policy

In his letter, Pope Francis acknowledged a nation’s right to secure its borders but stressed that such measures must not come at the expense of compassion and humanitarian responsibility.

“The act of deporting people who, in many cases, have left their homeland due to extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution, or environmental degradation, violates the dignity of many men and women and places entire families in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness,” Francis wrote.

He also issued a stark warning to policymakers: “What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly.”

As of Wednesday morning, President Trump had not responded to the letter. However, his administration’s border czar, Tom Homan, strongly dismissed the pope’s remarks during a Fox News interview.

“I have harsh words for the pope. As a lifelong Catholic, I say this with respect: He should focus on his work and leave enforcement to us. The Vatican has a wall around it, does it not?” Homan said, according to CBS News.

A History of Disagreements

While the pope’s letter carries a sharp tone, its content is consistent with his previous statements regarding Trump’s immigration policies. Since the former president’s initial campaign in 2016, Francis has repeatedly urged him to adopt a more compassionate approach to migrants and refugees.

“Before Trump’s first administration, Pope Francis famously said that anyone who builds a wall to keep out migrants is ‘not a Christian,’” The Associated Press reported.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has also been a vocal critic of Trump’s immigration stance. Shortly after the former president returned to the White House, the bishops issued a statement condemning his flurry of executive orders targeting immigration policies.

“Several of the executive orders signed by President Trump this week are specifically intended to eviscerate humanitarian protections enshrined in federal law and undermine due process, subjecting vulnerable families and children to grave danger,” the statement read.

Vice President JD Vance and the “Ordo Amoris” Debate

A key development in the Church’s evolving relationship with Trump’s second administration is the presence of Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert who has openly challenged the Vatican’s position on immigration.

In recent weeks, Vance has drawn attention for comments suggesting that Catholic leaders are more concerned about losing government funding tied to immigration programs than about the programs themselves. He has also framed immigration debates through the lens of Catholic teaching on “ordo amoris” (the order of loves), arguing that Americans should prioritize their families, communities, and fellow citizens before extending concern to others abroad.

Pope Francis, in his letter, rejected this interpretation, stating that love cannot be confined to concentric circles of obligation.

“The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’—that is, by reflecting on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception,” Francis wrote.

He further emphasized that serving vulnerable populations is a sacred duty: “God will richly reward all that you do for the protection and defense of those who are considered less valuable, less important, or less human.”

Lawsuits Over Immigration Raids in Churches

The pope’s letter coincided with legal action taken by more than two dozen U.S. faith groups challenging the Trump administration’s decision to allow immigration raids in houses of worship.

Previously, a Department of Homeland Security policy had designated churches as “sensitive locations” where immigration enforcement was restricted. However, this policy was rescinded in late January, shortly after Trump’s return to office.

The lawsuit—filed by the Episcopal Church, the Union for Reform Judaism, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the General Commission on Religion and Race of the United Methodist Church, and 23 other organizations—argues that targeting churches for immigration enforcement violates religious freedom protections.

The Trump administration’s stance on the issue has been challenged before. A separate lawsuit by five Quaker congregations is still pending, as reported by Deseret News. Last Friday, the Department of Justice released a memo defending the policy shift, asserting that immigration enforcement in religious institutions had been permitted for decades.

“The memo stated that the new policy announced in January simply allows field agents—using ‘common sense’ and ‘discretion’—to conduct such operations without requiring pre-approval from a supervisor,” ABC News reported.

Ongoing Strains in Church-State Relations

The deepening divide between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church reflects broader ideological battles over immigration policy, national security, and humanitarian obligations. With both the Vatican and U.S. Catholic bishops continuing to challenge the administration’s approach, tensions are unlikely to ease anytime soon.