Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly sparked controversy after sharply criticising Pope Francis just one day after his death at the age of 88. Speaking on The Megyn Kelly Show, the former Fox News anchor took issue with the late pontiff’s approach to immigration, particularly regarding the Catholic Church’s support for undocumented migrants in the United States.
While global tributes highlighted Pope Francis' progressive views on compassion and inclusion, Kelly took a sharply different tone. Referencing past statements by the Pope — such as his call to "build bridges, not walls" and his condemnation of mass deportations as a “disgrace” — Kelly argued that he failed to grasp the real-world consequences of U.S. immigration policies. She claimed the Church aids migrants regardless of their legal status, adding, “Pope Francis didn’t have to deal with that.”
Kelly further argued that Pope Francis’ messaging created confusion within the Catholic community. She claimed that some congregants now question what their Sunday donations support, citing a perceived disconnect between Catholic values and the Church’s response to illegal immigration. “It’s caused a lot of us in the Catholic Church to wonder what exactly we’re donating toward on Sunday,” she said.
She also referenced the murder of Laken Riley, allegedly committed by an undocumented immigrant, as evidence of what she believes is a dangerous outcome of the Pope’s immigration views. Kelly expressed a desire to have confronted the pontiff on the issue directly, rhetorically asking, “Well, you know who is vulnerable and defenseless? Laken Riley.”
Although Kelly briefly referred to Pope Francis as an “honourable man,” her remarks stood out for their timing and tone, contrasting sharply with the global outpouring of respect for the late Church leader.
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