Vatican says it is 'worried' by Donald Trump's immigration policies

'There is worry because we are messengers of another culture, that of openness,' says archbishop

President Donald Trump (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

The Vatican has said it is worried about Donald Trump's moves on immigration, in the Holy See's first comment since his executive order banning travel into the United States by citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries.

“Certainly there is worry because we are messengers of another culture, that of openness,” the Vatican's deputy secretary of state, Archbishop Angelo Becciu, told an Italian Catholic television station in answer to a question about Mr Trump's order.

Archbishop Becciu, who ranks third in the Vatican hierarchy, was asked about the executive order as well as Mr Trump's promise to build a wall on the US border with Mexico.

“Pope Francis, in fact, insists on the ability to integrate those who arrive in our societies and cultures,” he told TV2000.

Some Roman Catholic leaders in the United States have criticised Mr Trump's executive order. Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago said on Sunday it was “a dark moment in U.S. history” and that it was “contrary to both Catholic and American values”.

Last February, while returning from a trip to Mexico, Pope Francis said then-candidate Trump's view about building walls was “not Christian”.

Rupert Murdoch's sons were among the latest Hollywood figures to condemn the President's so-called “Muslim ban”.

The 21st Century Fox chiefs, James and Lachlan Murdoch, who are CEO and chairman respectively, sent a memo to employees on Monday condemning Mr Trump's controversial immigration ban. Their firm owns Fox News which has been criticised for its overly favourable coverage of Mr Trump.

The company expressed support for diversity and immigration and informed staff the company was doing all it could to help those employees and their families affected by the ban, acknowledging it was a time of “uncertainty” for their workers around the world.