Pope Leo XIV has taken a swipe at Donald Trump's travel ban during his weekly Sunday sermon.
Last week, the US President banned citizens from 19 countries from entering the United States.
The sweeping restrictions affect 12 countries with complete entry bans: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Seven additional nations face partial restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
The new pope used his first Pentecost Mass to denounce the rise of "nationalist political movements", in a powerful message about openness and unity to tens of thousands gathered in St Peter's Square on Sunday.
The 69-year-old pontiff, who became the first American pope just a month ago, condemned what he called an "exclusionary mindset" without naming specific countries or leaders.
"There is no room for prejudice, for 'security' zones separating us from our neighbours, for the exclusionary mindset that, unfortunately, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms," Pope Leo said during the celebration of one of Christianity's most significant holy days.
The former Cardinal Robert Prevost asked that God would "open borders, break down walls and dispel hatred" whilst addressing an estimated 80,000 faithful who had gathered for the Pentecost celebration and urged people to move "beyond our fear of those who are different".
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Pope Leo XIV leads the mass for the Jubilee of the Ecclesial Movements, at the Vatican
REUTERS
Pope Leo used his first Pentecost Mass to denounce the rise of 'nationalist political movements'
REUTERS
Before his election on 8 May to succeed the late Pope Francis, Cardinal Robert Prevost had been vocal in his criticism of US President Donald Trump on social media.
The Vatican has not confirmed ownership of the X account with the handle @drprevost, which was deactivated following Leo's election.
However, the account had shared numerous posts disapproving of Trump and Vice President JD Vance in recent years.
Pope Leo's message echoes his predecessor, Francis, who was a sharp critic of Trump throughout his 12-year papacy.
Francis had declared in 2016 that Trump was "not Christian" because of his views on immigration.
Before he acceded to the papacy, Cardinal Robert Prevost had been vocal in his criticism of US President Donald Trump on social media
REUTERS
Pope Leo asked that God would 'open borders, break down walls and dispel hatred'
REUTERS
"A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," Francis said when asked about the then-presidential candidate.
The late pope's criticism continued into Trump's second term.
In January, just months before his death, Francis described the President's plan to deport millions of migrants in the US as a "disgrace".
Speaking more about his ban last week, Trump justified the measures as essential for protecting America from "foreign terrorists" and security threats.
Thousands attended the service in Rome
REUTERS
Pope Leo waving to the crowds
REUTERS
Trump stated that countries facing the harshest restrictions were identified as harbouring a "large-scale presence of terrorists" and failing to cooperate on visa security.
He cited their inability to verify travellers' identities, inadequate criminal record-keeping and high rates of visa overstays in America.
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