“We entered a hardening phase between Washington and the Vatican”

An exhortation which takes place directly to a decision of an American president-in this case, the massive evictions of migrants-is this a first?

It is in any case extremely rare. François had already said, several years ago, that he was not a Christian to build separation walls-he thought, of course, on the wall between the United States and Mexico. But since the start of his pontificate, he had never taken such a critical position against the migration policy of a leader. For him, it is a major, non -negotiable subject.

Does it not risk, in doing so, to rekindle tensions within the American episcopate?

The Pope has had, it is true, difficult relations with part of the bishops of this country in recent years. But when we observe their reactions to this letter, we understand that his firmness on the migration issue pays: none showed himself critical of him. François tightens his links with the entire American episcopate.

Can relations between Pope and Donald Trump relax?

On the contrary, I think that we have entered a hardening phase that will be confirmed. The American vice-president, JD Vance, today accuses the country’s episcopal conference of the country of using federal funds to reinstall “illegal immigrants”. On December 21, 2024, Donald Trump had appointed Brian Burch as a new ambassador to the Holy See. He is a right -wing Catholic, explicitly critical of the Pope. For his part, François appointed Mgr on January 6. Robert Mcelroy Archbishop of Washington, an openly anti-top cardinal on immigration, climate and reception of LGBT people. We can be tempted to see an answer. In addition, the two men already know each other. The Pope knows that Trump is unpredictable and there are fewer illusions on both sides on the possibility of understanding and dialogue.

Do points of convergence exist?

Ukraine could be one. The influence of the Holy See on the evolution of the conflict is secondary, especially since Ukraine and Russia are orthodox countries. However, the United States as the Holy See wish to reach a resolution which would obviously imply territorial concessions on the part of kyiv. That said, the Holy See has always been clear: if there is concessions, they will have to obtain the approval of Ukraine and not to be against its will.

Will Donald Trump continue to instrumentalize religion for political ends?

He seems to insist less on the religious than before. Those who, among his allies, put forward this dimension, like Steve Bannon, his former campaign director in 2016, have less weight. Recall that Bannon had developed a politico-religious project consisting in using Christianity against the Pope. He aimed to combine Catholics and other anti-French Christians in an identity logic through, in particular, the creation of an “○ Academy ○” which would have had its seat near Rome to promote traditional values. This project has not emerged and Trump is more discreet about the religious theme.