Pope Francis stressed the importance of family unity in responding to questions during an in-flight press conference on September 10, 2017, according to Vatican Radio. The discussion with reporters took place on the Pope’s return flight from Colombia to Rome.
Vatican Radio reported that the press conference was cut short do to turbulence, but the Holy Father still had 30 minutes of exchange with reporters on the flight.
Asked by reporters about the recent decision by the U.S. President Donald Trump to rescind an Obama administration immigration policy known as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Pope Francis said he had not read enough to express an opinion.
However, he said that separating young people from their families is not good either for the young or for the family, according to Vatican Radio. Noting that the policy was crafted by the executive branch, rather than through the legislature, the Pope said there may be hope that it could be considered anew.
The Pope said Trump presents himself as pro-life, “and if he is a good pro-lifer, he understands that the family is the cradle of life, and that he must defend the unity” (of the family), according to Vatican Radio. The Holy Father then spoke of the need young people have of roots, and noted that he had spoken about the importance of dialogue between young people and the elderly.
“Young people need to find their roots again,” he said. “Anything that goes against the roots,” he continued, “steals their hope.”
According to Vatican Radio, Pope Francis insisted that he did not want to express his opinion on DACA because he prefers not to speak on issues he has not studied
However, he continued that deporting young people s would mean losing roots; “and this is a problem.” And he called attention to the suffering Mexico has endured, and called for prayers for that country.
