President Donald Trump has drawn criticism from Pope Francis as the 47th US president prepares to launch his mass deportation plan.
The Holy Father commented on the expected operation, saying “if it’s true, it’s a shame”. He added that it would affect the poor and the unfortunate, saying: “This is not going to work. This is not how things are handled. This is not how things are handled.”
Francis’ criticism came during an interview a day before Trump’s formal swearing-in. He then sent President Trump “hearty greetings” for his inauguration.
The pope’s remarks about the president’s immigration plan drew a strong reaction from Fox News contributor and theologian Jonathan Morris on FOX Business’ “Varney & Co.” Tuesday.
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“I think it’s totally, totally inappropriate to criticize politics from afar unless you get into the weeds and into the details,” Morris said.
Pope Francis criticized President Trump’s mass deportation plan during an interview on Sunday, calling it a “disgrace.”
The former priest and resident theologian continued, explaining how politicians can tackle immigration according to Christian and Catholic faiths.
“According to Catholic and Christian ethics, politicians not only have the right, but also the responsibility and obligation to control immigration levels to sustainable and safe levels.”
Before taking office, the incumbent campaigned on border security and said he would launch large-scale operations. On his first day in office, he declared a state of emergency on the border.
Trump administration it is said to be already looking at immigration arrests illegal immigrants across the country, while top officials say they are ready to “uncuff” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
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“Of course, everyone has the right to leave their country,” Morris told host Stuart Varney. “But you don’t always have the right to enter another country, and you certainly don’t have the right to do it illegally.”
The former priest spoke his mind The Holy Father thoughtbut he believed the criticism was a misstep.
“So I think the pope, what he means is, ‘Hey, let’s respect immigrants,’ but making blanket statements like ‘shameful,’ without going into why it’s ‘shameful,’ I think that’s a mistake.”
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Fox News Digital’s Haley Chi-Sing and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
