Advocating for migrants was a central focus of Pope Francis’ papacy, marked by a global refugee crisis and increasing restrictions on immigration policies worldwide. Throughout his tenure, he consistently addressed the challenges faced by migrants, from bringing asylum-seekers to the Vatican from overcrowded camps to openly criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump’s border initiatives. Shortly before his passing, Francis met briefly with Vice President JD Vance, with whom he had previously disagreed over deportation plans.
Several key moments highlighted Francis’ dedication to migrant issues:
- July 8, 2013, Lampedusa, Italy: In his first pastoral visit outside Rome, Francis traveled to Lampedusa, a small island in the Mediterranean. There, he met migrants from Libya, condemned their suffering, and criticized the global indifference to those risking their lives to reach Europe. A decade later, in September 2023, during a visit to Marseille, France, he reiterated his condemnation of the “fanaticism of indifference” towards migrants as European nations tightened border controls amid anti-immigration sentiment.
- April 16, 2016, Lesbos, Greece: During a refugee crisis, Francis visited Lesbos, Greece, where hundreds of thousands fled conflicts in Syria and other regions. He brought three Muslim families to Italy on the papal plane, stating that this act was “a drop of water in the sea” but hoped it would lead to broader discussions on migration. One of these families later expressed that Francis changed their lives and aimed to foster global dialogue about migrants.
- February 17, 2016, US-Mexico border: In Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, near the U.S. border, Francis conducted a Mass broadcast to El Paso, Texas, calling for compassion towards forced migrants. On his return to Rome, he suggested that those advocating for walls were “not Christian,” a comment that sparked a response from then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.
- October 24, 2021, Vatican City: As pressure grew in Europe to restrict illegal immigration, Francis made a fervent appeal against returning rescued migrants to unsafe environments like Libya, describing detention centers there as “true concentration camps.” The Mediterranean Sea, he noted, had become a graveyard for migrants.
- February 12, 2025, Vatican City: Following Trump’s return to the presidency, propelled by anti-immigration sentiments, Francis condemned U.S. mass deportation plans as “a disgrace,” warning U.S. bishops that such actions harm the dignity of those fleeing dire circumstances. U.S. border czar Tom Homan responded by highlighting the Vatican’s own protective walls and suggesting border enforcement should be left to his office. Despite these tensions, the Holy See maintained cordial relations with the U.S., although differences persisted on issues of migration and international conflicts.
