Pope Francis has issued a pointed rebuke to Vice President JD Vance over his interpretation of Catholic theology and his defense of former President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration policies. In a letter sent to U.S. bishops this week, the pontiff condemned the mass deportations proposed under Trump’s administration, warning that such actions would lead to a “major crisis” and could have severe consequences for the nation.
While addressing the broader issue of immigration, Pope Francis focused particularly on Vance’s recent defense of Trump’s immigration policies. In a January social media post, Vance, a Catholic, invoked the Catholic concept of “ordo amoris,” or “order of love,” to justify prioritizing the needs of non-immigrants over those of immigrants. The Vice President argued that Catholics must first show love and responsibility to their families, communities, and fellow citizens before extending that love to those outside their nation.
Vance’s comments were made in response to criticism from some Catholic groups, after he appeared on Fox News, defending Trump’s plan to expel millions of immigrants. He explained that his understanding of the “order of love” meant prioritizing local responsibilities before international ones.
However, Pope Francis rejected this interpretation of the concept in his letter, emphasizing that the true “ordo amoris” involves building a fraternity that is inclusive of all people, without exception. The Pope pointed to the parable of the Good Samaritan as the foundation of this approach. According to the Pope, the Samaritan’s act of helping a stranger in need exemplifies the essence of love and care for others, irrespective of their origin or status. “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 meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all,” wrote Francis.
The pontiff also addressed the broader implications of mass deportations, which he described as a practice built on force rather than respect for the inherent dignity of all human beings. He cautioned that any policies that disregard the fundamental worth of individuals, especially vulnerable families fleeing dire circumstances, are bound to fail. “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,” he warned.
In his letter, Pope Francis acknowledged that nations have the right to protect their borders and ensure the safety of their citizens. However, he also emphasized that this right must be exercised within the framework of respect for human dignity. Deporting people who have fled their homes due to extreme poverty, insecurity, persecution, or environmental collapse causes immense harm, Francis said. Such actions place these individuals in vulnerable and defenseless positions, exacerbating their suffering and damaging their inherent dignity.
This isn’t the first time Pope Francis has spoken out against U.S. immigration policies under Trump. Even before Trump’s presidency, the Pope condemned the idea of mass deportations, calling it a “disgrace” that “makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill for the imbalance.” His stance has been consistent throughout, reflecting his commitment to the dignity and protection of the marginalized and oppressed.
The letter from the Pope comes at a time when immigration remains a divisive issue in the United States, particularly among religious communities. In response to the Trump administration’s deportation agenda, more than two dozen religious groups, including the Episcopal Church, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the Mennonites, filed a lawsuit against the government, seeking to protect religious institutions from immigration arrests in houses of worship.
The Pope’s condemnation of mass deportations and his reaffirmation of the Catholic Church’s commitment to the protection of immigrants underscore the ongoing tensions between religious leaders and political figures over the treatment of undocumented immigrants. As the U.S. continues to grapple with its immigration policies, Pope Francis has remained a vocal advocate for compassion, fraternity, and respect for human dignity.
While the debate over immigration policies rages on, Pope Francis’s message is clear: any approach that prioritizes force over love and the protection of human dignity will ultimately lead to harm, both for individuals and for society as a whole. The Church’s teachings on love and fraternity, exemplified by the Good Samaritan, stand as a call for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to the world’s most vulnerable.
