Pope Gets a Lesson on Immigration From a Trump Ally

Tom Homan, a former aide of Donald Trump and Chicago native, recently met with Pope Leo XIV. He urged the Catholic Church to endorse law enforcement in immigration matters and criticized the Pope for speaking out against Trump’s mass deportation plan. Homan argued that Leo failed to grasp core church teachings and should focus on internal reforms rather than commenting on U.S. policy.

Key Points from Homan:

• The Vatican’s “wall” would be harder to breach than U.S. borders.
• Grim statistics on crimes against migrant women, trafficking, and drug deaths underscore the need for stricter enforcement.
• The Pope should prioritize fixing his own church before commenting on U.S. policy.

This is not the first time a Trump supporter has attempted to influence the Pope. Earlier this month, House Speaker Mike Johnson—an outspoken Southern Baptist—offered biblical arguments to Leo after the Pope urged deeper reflection on America’s treatment of migrants. Johnson later expanded his remarks into a lengthy post on X.

These exchanges highlight the tension between U.S. political leaders and the Vatican over immigration policy, each side presenting its own moral and legal justifications. While the Pope calls for a compassionate response, Trump allies push for stricter enforcement.