Well, this is rich. Pope Francis, the leader of the Vatican and a frequent critic of Western immigration policies, has labeled President Trump’s plans for mass deportations a “disgrace.” Strong words from someone who presides over one of the world’s most guarded borders and lives in a city-state that doesn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for refugees. It’s yet another example of the pontiff wading into politics, offering criticism that feels less like spiritual guidance and more like virtue signaling on a global stage.

Trump, as you’d expect, is taking a hardline approach to illegal immigration—something he campaigned on in 2016 and again in 2024. Love him or hate him, he’s consistent. His latest proposal aims to deport individuals who have flouted immigration laws, prioritizing those with criminal records. This isn’t about targeting lawful immigrants or asylum seekers; it’s about upholding the rule of law. But that nuance, as usual, gets lost in translation when critics like Pope Francis weigh in.

Let’s be clear: the Vatican doesn’t exactly practice what the Pope preaches. Vatican City, home to fewer than 1,000 residents, has some of the strictest immigration policies in the world. You don’t just stroll in and set up shop. They’re selective about who gets in and even more selective about who stays. But when the United States tries to enforce its borders? That’s apparently a moral failing. The double standard is almost laughable.

Of course, this isn’t the first time Pope Francis has taken a swipe at Trump’s policies. From border walls to climate change, the pontiff has positioned himself as a global progressive icon, much to the delight of the left-leaning media. But here’s the thing: his comments often oversimplify complex issues. Yes, compassion is important, but so is sovereignty, security, and the ability of a nation to determine who enters its borders. Trump isn’t proposing mass deportations because he enjoys it; he’s doing it because he believes in enforcing laws that have been ignored for far too long.

Critics will argue that Trump’s approach lacks compassion, but what’s compassionate about allowing a broken immigration system to continue unchecked? What about the communities struggling to handle the influx of illegal immigration, the families who’ve lost loved ones to crimes committed by individuals who shouldn’t have been in the country in the first place? Compassion isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about making tough decisions that benefit the greater good. That’s leadership, and that’s what Trump is trying to deliver.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis’s comments seem to lack an understanding of America’s unique challenges. The U.S. is not Europe, and our immigration issues are not the same. When Francis speaks about opening borders, he’s often referring to smaller European countries dealing with far less immigration than the U.S. handles annually. And even in Europe, open-border policies have sparked chaos, from rising crime rates to cultural clashes that strain social cohesion. America can’t afford to make the same mistakes, and Trump knows it.

The bottom line is this: Trump’s immigration policies aren’t about cruelty—they’re about order. They’re about putting Americans first, something that every leader, religious or political, should understand. Pope Francis has every right to express his opinion, but perhaps it’s time he looked inward at the Vatican’s own policies before casting stones. After all, actions speak louder than words, and America’s immigration challenges won’t be solved with lofty rhetoric from halfway across the world.