Cardinal Michael Czerny, a key advisor to Pope Francis, has urged the Trump administration to remember Christian values when making decisions about migrants and foreign aid. He expressed concern that U.S. policies are causing fear among migrants and putting important church-run aid programs at risk.
Czerny, a Canadian Jesuit, leads the Vatican’s office for migrants, environmental issues, and Catholic charity work. In an interview, he acknowledged that every government has the right to review its foreign aid budget. However, he warned that suddenly cutting funding can be harmful, especially when programs have already made financial commitments.
USAID, the U.S. government’s main international aid agency, managed over $40 billion in 2023. The Trump administration and billionaire Elon Musk have heavily criticized the agency, leading to a major funding freeze. This has affected Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Internationalis, two organizations that provide humanitarian aid worldwide.
Czerny emphasized that aid spending is a small fraction of the U.S. economy, far below the biblical principle of donating 10% of one’s income. While Pope Francis has criticized Western aid programs that impose conditions conflicting with Catholic teachings, Czerny believes reforms would be better than completely shutting them down.
Another issue troubling the Vatican is the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented migrants. Since Trump took office on January 20, over 8,000 people have been arrested in immigration raids. Some detainees are being held in federal prisons, while others have been sent to Guantanamo Bay.
Czerny, whose own family were refugees, called these harsh measures unfair and harmful. He expressed deep concern for those affected, urging people of goodwill to support vulnerable migrants during this difficult time.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has also strongly criticized Trump’s policies. They released a statement saying his executive orders on immigration, foreign aid, the death penalty, and the environment would hurt the most vulnerable. This was a rare rebuke, as many Catholic leaders had previously supported Trump, particularly for his anti-abortion stance.
Pope Francis has consistently advocated for welcoming migrants and helping those in need. He has called on governments to do their best to protect and integrate refugees, saying that most nations still have the capacity to do more. Czerny echoed this message, reminding people of their moral duty to help others in need, especially as Christians.
