On his return flight from Colombia, Pope Francis gave his customary press conference, though it was cut short due to turbulence.
One of the questions pertained to the recent decision in the United States regarding DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals):
This is an Aleteia translation of what Francis said:
“Separating young people from their family is never something that bears good fruit. Every young person has his family. I think that this law [about the immigrant “Dreamers” in the United States – translator’s note], which I believe doesn’t come from the parliament [sic], but from the executive power—if it’s that way, I’m not sure—I hope that it will be rethought a bit, because I’ve heard the President of the United States speak, presenting himself as a man who is “pro-life.” If he really is “pro-life,” he understands that the family is the cradle of life, and its unity must be defended. That’s what comes to mind. That’s why I’m interested in studying that law well. […] A young person’s relationship with his or her roots is very important. Young people who have been uprooted today, ask for help. They need to rediscover their roots, and that’s why I insist so much on dialogue between the elderly and young people. They should talk with their [grand]parents—the elderly ones. Because that’s where their roots are, a bit farther away, in order to avoid the conflicts that might exist with the more immediate roots, those of their parents. But young people today need to rediscover their roots. Anything that goes against their roots robs them of hope.”
And today we celebrate...