Pope Francis vs Donald Trump, JD Vance: Here’s how the late pontiff took stand against US’ anti-immigration policies

Pope Francis, previously Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an Argentine born to Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires, died on April 21, 2025, aged 88. He was renowned for humility and liberal attitude on social challenges. During his ten-year papacy, he championed the rights of migrants, frequently butting heads with political figures regarding border controls, and strove hard to lead the Catholic Church into a more open future.

His personal family experiences strongly shaped his advocacy for refugees. Nearly 51.2 million people were forcibly displaced when he became the pope in 2013. The number had soared to over 120 million by 2024.

Political clashes with US President Trump, VP Vance

According to a USA Today report, Pope Francis’ views on immigration clashed with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Ahead of the 2016 presidential elections in the US, Pope Francis reportedly criticised Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric in a speech to Congress. He reminded the Americans that most of them were once foreigners.


In February, in a letter, Pope Francis rebuked Vance when the latter said that Catholic doctrine supports America First Agenda. He also criticised their plans of deportation. Pope Francis, according to the report, told the US bishops to not give in to discriminatory narratives.

Reportedly, Vance, a Catholic convert, visited the Pope on Easter Sunday, shortly before his death.

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Pope Francis was a champion for migrants

As per the reports, migration was a personal and political cause for Pope Francis. From embracing refugees during foreign trips to sharply criticising anti-immigration policies, migrant rights were central to his papacy.
The pope, in a 2016 visit to Lesbos, Greece, told the refugees that they were not alone and took 12 back of them to Rome. He condemned European indifference to refugees crossing the Mediterranean. He frequently challenged political leaders who sought to close borders. In a 2024 interview, he had also said that the globalisation of indifference is a very ugly disease.

Liberal yet conservative

In spite of being praised as a reformer, Pope Francis did have some conservative policies. He reportedly opposed abortion, same-sex marriage, and ordination of women. However, he, later in 2023, permitted priests to bless same-sex couples and softened the Church’s position on divorced Catholics receiving communion.

He also introduced tougher penalties for clergy accused of sexual abuse and re-organised the financial management of the Vatican. Reportedly, critics accused him of doing too little to counter the abuse crisis. He was given flak for defending a Chilean bishop who was accused of being complicit in abuse cover-ups. However, he later apologised.

A Pope from the margins

Pope Francis was the first Jesuit pope from Latin America. He once worked as a nightclub bouncer and studied chemical engineering before becoming a clergyman. He was ordained a priest in 1969 and became the head of the Jesuits of Argentina in 1973, while in 2001, he was made a cardinal by John Paul II, as per reports.

When papal power passed from Benedict XVI to Pope Francis in 2013, the Church was severely battered by scandal. His efforts concentrated on reform, humility, and the refusal of papal splendour by choosing to live in simple quarters instead of the grand papal apartment in the Vatican.

Final years and global voice

Pope Francis made many journeys, including historic pilgrimages to Iraq and Lampedusa. He condemned economic injustice, global warming, and religious persecution, urging a Church that heals wounds rather than imposes rules, the reports stated.

Kathleen Cummings of the University of Notre Dame was quoted as saying that Pope Francis brought a different way of seeing the world and that he repeatedly said yes to mercy and to the marginalized. While the world laments his death, Pope Francis is not only remembered as a spiritual leader but also as a moral voice to the world on justice, compassion, and humanity.

FAQs

Q: When did Pope Francis die?
A: Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88.

Q: Did Pope Francis clash with political leaders?
A: Yes, especially with US leaders like Donald Trump and JD Vance over issues of immigration and nationalism.