“Yesterday, the pope was great”, Trump told the audience.
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Donald Trump responded forcefully Thursday to comments from Pope Francis that anyone who wants to build a border wall isn’t a Christian, saying a religious leader questioning a person’s faith is “disgraceful”.
Some commentators suggested on social media that Trump, who is Presbyterian, could have a chance to win over evangelicals who distrust the pope’s views.
But by Thursday evening, the GOP front-runner was doing something unusual: de-escalating a fight. “I like his personality; I like what he represents”.
He said the Pope believed people “should build bridges, not walls”, referring to the thousands of migrants flocking onto European shores over the past 12 months.
“I think he said something much softer than it was originally reported by the media”, Trump said.
Trump added he would meet with the Pope “anytime he wants”.
“In no way was this a personal attack, nor an indication of how to vote”, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said Friday.
Though he agreed with the pontiff’s intention of reaching out to others, Graham noted that national security should not be compromised in the process, advising the pope to “reach out and build a bridge to Donald Trump”. What accounts for the shift?
“As far as what you said about whether I would advise to vote or not to vote, I am not going to get involved in that”. Catholics consider the Pope not only the vicar of Christ but also the successor to St. Peter, who legendarily holds the keys to the Pearly Gates. More than 300 pastors and other religious leaders in SC on Thursday endorsed him for president. He regularly preaches in the United States and overseas. They had him convinced that illegal immigration was like a wonderful thing.
He then posed a question to the worldwide head of the Roman Catholic Church about those many Americans supporting construction of a wall.
Those comments from Pope Francis were, of course, timed accordingly to coincide with his recent visit to Mexico, where he prayed for those who’ve died trying to cross the border into the United States.
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Ohio Governor John Kasich continue to battle for a spot at the table, while retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson struggles for relevancy.
“I think I’d explain the problem of the border”, Trump said on the morning program.
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Burns said that there is nothing wrong with taking care of one’s self first, just as long as people will be able to lend a hand to those in need after. “He knows what his faith is”.
