Pope Francis is not expected to veto President Donald Trump's choice of a high-profile critic of his papacy as the next U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, according to two senior Vatican officials, despite misgivings about his stance on many issues.

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis said Donald Trump’s plans to impose mass deportations of immigrants would be a “disgrace,” as he weighed in on the incoming U.S. president’s pledges nearly a decade after calling him “not Christian” for wanting to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border.

Pope Francis sent “cordial greetings” and “assurance of my prayers” to Donald J. Trump on Jan. 20, the day of his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States.

The pope's message comes a day after Francis said Trump's reported plan to intensify immigration enforcement actions across the U.S. would be a "disgrace"

The Holy Father expressed hope that under Trump’s leadership, the American people would “prosper and always strive to build a more just society.”

The pope’s comments provided the latest indication of a potential rekindling of frictions between the Vatican and the next Trump White House.