Pope Leo Strong Criticism Of Trump's Policy On Immigrants

Pope Leo XIV/DOK PHOTO via Instagram @pontifex

JAKARTA - Pope Leo urged Catholics around the world to help immigrants in his first important document, which was released on Thursday. The document also contains the late Pope Francis' most violent criticism of US President Donald Trump's anti-immigration policy.

Pope Leo's document, known as aatory advice, focuses on the needs of the world's poor.

This document calls for a thorough change to the global market system to address the increasing inequality and to help people who live mediocrely.

This 104-page manuscript originated in a writing project by Francis, who was unable to complete it before his death in April after a 12-year-old global Church of 1.4 billion people. The manuscript was completed by Leo, the first pope from the US.

"I am pleased to make this document my own by adding some reflections and publishing it at the beginning of my papal period," Leo wrote at the beginning of the script.

Elected in May to replace Francis, Leo showed a much quieter style than his predecessor, who frequently criticized the Trump administration.

However, Leo stepped up his disapproval in recent weeks, sparking a strong reaction from some of the leading conservative Catholic figures.

"The church, like a mother, accompanies those who walk," the Pope wrote in a document entitled "Dixsi Te" (I have loved you).

"The church knows that in every rejected migrant, it is Christ himself who knocks on the community door," the document said.

"Where the world sees threats, (the Church) sees children; where walls are built, the Church builds bridges," Leo continued, referring to Fransiskus' 2016 criticism of Trump as "not Christian" because of the president's plan during his first term to build walls on the US-Mexico border.

The White House said Trump was elected based on many of his promises, including deporting "criminal illegal migrants".

The number of people living in poverty "should continue to burden our conscience", the document said.

"There are so many theories that try to justify the current situation or explain that economic thinking requires us to wait for an invisible market power to solve everything," he said.

"The poor are only promised a few 'tests' that drip down, until the next global crisis returns to its original state."

The document hints Pope Leo has some of the same priorities as Francis, who has moved away from many papal traps and has often criticized the global market system for not caring about the most vulnerable people in society.

"The illusion of happiness stemming from a comfortable life drives many people towards a lifelike vision that centers on the accumulation of wealth and social success at all costs, even at the expense of others," the text reads.

"Whether we regain our moral and spiritual dignity or we fall into a puddle," said Pope Leo.