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Pope Francis' Migrant Comments Spark MAGA Anger: 'Appeasing Globalists'
Supporters of former president
Donald Trump have hit back at
Pope Francis after he called the rejection of migrants a "grave sin."
During his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, Francis urged people to think about those crossing dangerous seas and deserts to reach places where they can live in peace and safety.
The Mediterranean Sea, he said, has become a "cemetery" where many migrants have died "preventable" deaths.
"There are those who work systematically and with every means possible to reject migrants," Francis said. "And this, when done with conscience and responsibility, is a grave sin."
He said: "We can all agree on one thing: today's migrants should not be in those deadly seas and deserts. But it is not through more restrictive laws, it is not with the militarization of borders, it is not with rejections, that we will achieve this. Instead, we will achieve it by extending safe and legal entry routes for migrants, by facilitating providing refuge for those fleeing war, violence, persecution and so many calamities."
Pope Francis’ Migrant Comments Spark MAGA Anger: ‘Appeasing Globalists’
Francis' comments come as Trump, the
Republican nominee for president, has made immigration a centerpiece of his White House campaign. He has repeatedly
blamed migrants for crime in the U.S., even though studies show no link between immigration and violent crime. He has also said he would launch the biggest deportation program in U.S. history if elected president in November.
Supporters of Trump took to social media to hit back at the pope's comments, with one accusing Francis of being focused on "appeasing globalists."
"Pope Francis says we shall "welcome immigrants with our arms open,'" one supporter
wrote on X, formerly
Twitter.
"Who thinks the Vatican is too focused on appeasing globalists to effectively be a force for good when we need it most?"
Others suggested Francis was being hypocritical since the Vatican is a walled enclave.
"Pope Francis says it is a 'grave sin' for people to reject migrants in their countries," one MAGA supporter
wrote on X. "Pope Francis is the head of the Vatican, a city state which is completely surrounded by a wall."
Another
wrote: "The Vatican is entirely protected by defensive walls and armed guards. Be welcoming! Let them all in!"
Others defended Francis' comments, with
one user saying he was not condemning restrictions to immigration, but "referring to harsh or contemptuous treatment of migrants."
Francis has faced criticism from conservative Catholics in the U.S. who view him as too progressive. He has spent his papacy highlighting social justice issues and marginalized people, including the poor. He has also sought to make the church more welcoming to LGBTQ+ Catholics.
He hit out at his conservative critics during an interview with
60 Minutes earlier this year.
"Conservative is one who clings to something and does not want to see beyond that," he
said. "It is a suicidal attitude. Because one thing is to take tradition into account, to consider situations from the past, but quite another is to be closed up inside a dogmatic box."
In that interview, he also criticized efforts by the state of Texas to shut down a Catholic charity that provides humanitarian assistance to undocumented migrants.
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