A Clash Between the Pope and Trump Was Inevitable

Who ever could have guessed that the election of the first American pope would cause political problems at home?

From the moment that Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV last year, a clash between Rome and Washington was inevitable.

Not least because, for years now, consecutive leaders of the Catholic Church have had policies that fly against the policies not just of the US government but any sensible government.

For example, it is hard to find any figure in the world more in favor of open borders than the various men who have held the office of pope in recent years. Pope Leo, like his predecessor Pope Francis, is very eager to speak up for the plight of illegal migrants. But — again like his predecessor — he is silent on the challenges that such migrants bring to the populations expected to absorb them.

Pope Leo has already pointedly announced that he intends to spend July 4 this year on the Italian island of Lampedusa. For years that Mediterranean island — with only 6,000 people — has been one of the main landing spots for illegal migrant boats heading into Europe. Pope Leo’s predecessor also visited the island. And each time the visit is in order to stress the need for the developed world to be “open-hearted,” “welcoming” and much more.