The Catholic Church believes in multilateralism based on dialogue and mutual respect.
Donald Trump is confronted with the universalism of Pope Francis. Two very different perspectives, even if the Holy See reacted to the election in a diplomatic way with a message from the Pope asking God for “wisdom, strength and protection” for the newly elected. The Pope had already expressed his concerns to the president: “Inspired by your nation’s ideals of being a land of opportunity and welcome for all, it is my hope that under your leadership the American people will prosper and always strive to build a more just society, where there is no room for hatred, discrimination or exclusion.”
But Trump is moving towards a rapid and radical expulsion of migrants. Francis said in the transmission Che tempo che fa to Fabio Fazio: “If it is true, it will be a shame, because it makes the unfortunate poor pay for the inequality.”
Almost the whole American Catholic Church shared this position though in part it does not always see the Pope favourably, especially the bishops. Cardinal Mc Elroy, who was recently nominated archbishop of Washington and who is close to the Pope’s sentiment, had also declared on the campaign against immigrants, “We must hinder those who train us to see Muslim men, women and children as reasons for fear, rather than as children of God.”
The values shouted by Trump represent for Americans, especially white, disoriented or impoverished, a protective shield in a changing world. It is not Francis’ idea who does not believe in the perspective of battles, but of merciful communication.
Francis’ message to Trump contains an important section: the “promotion of peace and reconciliation among peoples”. The Vatican hopes that Trump’s intervention will end the war in the “tormented Ukraine” to use his words, without humiliating it.
Less close are the positions on the Middle East, where Trump is sensitive to Netanyahu’s needs. But the president, who pursues a big plan for the region, must also deal with the needs of the Saudis and Turks.
In his inaugural speech, Trump said he wanted to make the United States what they are supposed to be: a nation proud of itself, respected in the world, with a strong army. An imperial speech, with aggressive traces, but not favourable to war: “Our power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has become angry, violent and completely unpredictable.” That a spirit of unity is to be affirmed in the world, banning violence and hatred, is at the heart of Pope Francis’ vision.
However, there is a big difference between Trump’s vision and that of the Pope, not only his, but of the Catholic Church. The Church believes in a "worldwide common good", of which peace is the first expression and at whose service international institutions are. Today it competes with new "empires", so different from each other: the USA, China, but also India. In her history she is used to live with the "empires" and aims to implement a policy of peace.
The Church believes in multilateralism based on dialogue and mutual respect. But such multilateralism hardly fits Trump and his America.
Editorial by Andrea Riccardi in Famiglia Cristiana on 2/2/2025 - translation by staff
