I tried to give the Pope the benefit of the doubt in case he was differentiating a person's moral responsibility versus a government's, but his statement is so broad I was unable to do so.
Pope's actions: In a decree issued last month by the Holy See, the monetary sanctions and prison sentences for those who violate the strict security regulations of Vatican City have been considerably increased.
Pope's words: "It needs to be said clearly: There are those who systematically work by all means to drive away migrants, and this, when done knowingly and deliberately, is a grave sin," he said during his general audience Aug. 28.
Pope's actions: The document, signed by Cardinal Fernando Vrguez Alzaga, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, provides for monetary fines ranging from 10,000 to 25,000 euros (about $10,200 to $25,700) and prison sentences ranging from one to four years.
Pope's words: But migrants cannot be deterred from those deadly crossings "through more restrictive laws, nor through the militarization of borders, nor through rejections," the pope said. "Instead, we will achieve it by expanding safe and legal avenues for migrants, by facilitating sanctuary for those fleeing wars, violence, persecution and many calamities; we will achieve it by fostering in every way a global governance of migration based on justice, fraternity and solidarity."
I am not a Catholic, so my opinion of this Pope is irrelevant, but he looks at a minimum inconsistent with his own values if not fully hypocritical.