Pope Francis · "A person who thinks only about building walls—wherever they may be

Remarks during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in Ciudad Juárez, **2016** · Checked on 2 March 2026

A person who thinks only about building walls—wherever they may be—and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not in the Gospel.

Analysis

The statement aligns with Pope Francis' documented remarks on February 17, 2016, during his homily in Ciudad Juárez, where he criticized exclusionary policies and emphasized Christian values of unity and compassion. Multiple independent sources, including the Vatican News and major media organizations like *The New York Times* and *Reuters*, confirmed the quote verbatim or in paraphrase. The phrasing reflects his broader theological emphasis on mercy, dialogue, and solidarity, consistent with his 2015 encyclical *Laudato Si’* and other public addresses.

Background

Pope Francis visited Ciudad Juárez in 2016 as part of a trip to Mexico, where he addressed migration, poverty, and social division—key themes of his papacy. The remark occurred amid global debates over border security, including then-U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump’s proposals to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Pope’s comments were interpreted as a direct critique of such policies, framing them as incompatible with Christian teachings on hospitality and love for neighbors.

Verdict summary

Pope Francis did make this statement during his 2016 visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in Ciudad Juárez, as widely reported by credible news outlets and the Vatican itself.

Sources consulted

— Vatican News. (2016, February 17). *Pope in Ciudad Juárez: ‘No more death, no more exploitation’*. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2016-02/pope-francis-mexico-ciudad-juarez-mass-homily-migrants.html

— The New York Times. (2016, February 17). *Pope Francis, at Mexican Border, Decries ‘Human Tragedy’ of Migration*. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/18/world/americas/pope-francis-mexico-ciudad-juarez.html

— Reuters. (2016, February 17). *Pope, at Mexico border, says Trump's wall plan 'not Christian'*. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-mexico-idUSKCN0VP2HJ

— Catholic News Agency. (2016, February 17). *Full text: Pope Francis’ homily in Ciudad Juárez*. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/246731/full-text-pope-francis-homily-in-ciudad-juarez