Pope vs. Trump: ‘Not Christian’ to only build border walls
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pope Francis spoke during a mass he celebrated in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on Wednesday. Francis is on his way back to Italy after a five-day visit in Mexico.
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE » Thrusting himself into the heated American presidential campaign, Pope Francis declared today that Donald Trump is “not Christian” if he wants to address illegal immigration only by building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Trump fired back ferociously, saying it was “disgraceful” for a religious leader to question a person’s faith.
The rare back-and-forth between pontiff and presidential candidate was the latest astonishing development in an American election already roiled by Trump’s free-wheeling rhetoric and controversial policy proposals, particularly on immigration. It also underscored the popular pope’s willingness to needle U.S. politicians on hot-button issues.
Francis’ comments came hours after he concluded a visit to Mexico, where he prayed at the border for people who died trying to reach the U.S. While speaking to reporters on the papal plane, he was asked what he thought of Trump’s campaign pledge to build a wall along the entire length of the border and expel millions of people in the U.S. illegally.
“A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian,” he said. While Francis said he would “give the benefit of the doubt” because he had not heard Trump’s border plans independently, he added, “I say only that this man is not a Christian if he has said things like that.”
Trump, a Presbyterian and the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, responded within minutes.
“For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful,” he said at a campaign stop in South Carolina, which holds a key primary on Saturday. “I am proud to be a Christian, and as president I will not allow Christianity to be consistently attacked and weakened.”
Trump also raised the prospect of the Islamic State extremist group attacking the Vatican, saying that if that happened, “the pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been president because this would not have happened.”
Francis, the first pope from Latin America, urged Congress during his visit to Washington last year to respond to immigrants “in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal.” He irked Republicans on the same trip with his forceful call for international action to address climate change.
Immigration is among the most contentious issues in American politics. Republicans have moved toward hardline positions that emphasize law enforcement and border security, blocking comprehensive legislation in 2013 that would have included a path to citizenship for many of the 11 million people in the U.S. illegally.
Hispanics, an increasingly large voting bloc in U.S. presidential elections, have flocked to Democrats in recent years. President Barack Obama won more than 70 percent in the 2012 election, leading some Republican leaders to conclude the party must increase its appeal to them.
However, the current GOP presidential primary has been dominated by increasingly tough rhetoric. Trump has insisted that Mexico will pay for his proposed border wall and has said some Mexicans entering the U.S. illegally are murderers and rapists.
While Trump’s words have been among the most inflammatory, some of his rivals have staked out similar enforcement positions. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson are among those who have explicitly called for construction of a wall.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, one of the few GOP candidates proposing a path to legal status for people already in the U.S. illegally, said Thursday he supports “walls and fencing where it’s appropriate.” Bush said that while he gets his guidance “as a Catholic” from the pope, he doesn’t take his cues from Francis on “economic or environmental policy.”
Marco Rubio, another Catholic seeking the GOP nomination, said that Vatican City has a right to control its borders and so does the United States.
Rubio said he has “tremendous respect and admiration” for the pope, but he added, “There’s no nation on Earth that’s more compassionate on immigration than we are.”
Cruz said he was steering clear of the dispute. “That’s between Donald and the pope,” he said. “I’m not going to get in the middle of them.”
Ohio Gov. John Kasich, on the other hand, said he was staunchly “pro-Pope.”
“We have a right to build a wall,” Kasich said Thursday night. But he added: “We need bridges between us if we’re going to fix the problems in Washington ‘cause all they do is have walls.”
The long-distance exchange between the pope and Trump came two days before the voting in South Carolina, a state where 78 percent of adults identify as Christian, according to the Pew Research Center’s 2014 U.S. Religious Landscape Study. Of that group, 35 percent identify as evangelical and 10 percent as Catholic, the survey found.
It’s unclear what impact, if any, the pope’s rhetoric will have, here or in other states. An October poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that most Americans had no strong opinion on the pope’s approach to immigration issues, though he was overall viewed favorably.
Even before Thursday, Trump had been critical of Francis’ visit to Mexico. He said last week that the pope’s plans to pray at the border showed he was a political figure being exploited by the Mexican government.
Francis glossed over Trump’s assertion that he was a pawn of Mexico, telling reporters on his plane that he would “leave that up to your judgment.” But he seemed pleased to hear the candidate had called him a “political” figure, noting that Aristotle had described the human being as a “political animal.”
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Pace reported from Greenville, South Carolina. AP writers Jill Colvin in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, and Tom Beaumont in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
64 responses to “Pope vs. Trump: ‘Not Christian’ to only build border walls”
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Anyone who opposes Trump’s immigration stance is a DOPE.
LOL I guess the Pope forgot that Vatican City has walls…
He said, “A person who thinks only about building walls.” And I also think that it is probably not just literal walls, but political ones as well.
You know Donald IS WALL ST.,right.
Nana,Depends how you define “WALL ST”. He once owned a few stocks,but later sold them.That’s it!
He didn’t forget that because it doesn’t. Let me take a wild guess …. you haven’t ever been to Vatican City? Why would you lie like this? To sound important?
I think the word you were looking for was “supports” not “opposes.”
Dope picking up the soap on a rope.
Anyone who agrees with Trump’s immigration stance is a DOPE. See how easy that is? Because you have the mental capacity of a mentally-challenged chimpanzee, you lack the ability to create a cogent argument. Pope Francis is actually a thinker. A person who has lived life both in and out of the church, and among those less fortunate. He aspires to be Christ-like, not just a “Christian” by virtue of church affiliation. You and Trump are anti-Christ by nature and action, and finally there is someone in a leadership role who is not afraid to point that fact out.
Hit a nerve? Take it easy with the name calling…shows your character ..or lack there of.
Have you ever posted anything that wasn’t completely dimwitted and utterly simplistic?
choyd: No. Never. Any time anyone points out the drive-through holes in his argument, his response is “hit a nerve?” No. Some people don’t like the intellectually dishonest who post here.
Klastri aka Kurt..how you doing?
choyd..are you angry all the time? Lighten up…you’re gonna burst a vein. Just because we don’t agree doesn’t mean you have to go ballistic like klastri.
Fringe diwmits have no use for nuance. You know this.
One gathers you are speaking as an expert on this subject, based on your own personal limitations.
Not a very Christ-like statement, so it seems some that disagree with Trump aren’t either..
I don’t recall choyd selling the snake oil that claims he’s Christian. Like Trump is, of course. You need to think and read just a little.
klastri, perhaps you ought to be the one both reading and thinking. My comment was intended as a reminder to Hie.
Most who support Trump, aren’t too smart. Not very educated, not successful either…
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/31/upshot/donald-trumps-strongest-supporters-a-certain-kind-of-democrat.html?_r=0
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35047233
You still not ok?
On the other hand, The Donald has struck a vital nerve with this riveting video which many recognize as the solid TRUTH – – a fundamental TRUTH our so called “news” media outlets are too terrified even to mention, much less cover:
http://pumabydesign001.com/2016/02/07/this-donald-trump-video-the-snake-is-going-viral-in-europe/
Doubt that?
Check it out.
Like the research shoes, Trump supporters generally do not have college degrees and make less that $50k/year. Easily swayed by some random video.
Not that I’m disputing your shoes, but why are we to discount an article by a black female Christian yet grant credibility to a Times pundit referencing “research” from a democratic source? Of course our opinions are our own, but, unfortunately, Trump seems to be drawing support for a wider variety of reasons other than stupidity. This should scare all of us into actively supporting better opposition.
Thank you, whomever added “your comment is awaiting moderation”.
It may be a video, but it sure as [redacted] ain’t ‘random’. It speaks to the very heart of what has gone so terribly wrong in Europe and why. That more than anything else may be why The Donald is attracting such enthusiastic crowds – – by speaking a truth that the politically crippled ‘news’ media outlets dare not utter
No, the reason Donald gains support, much like Ross Perot did, is because the uneducated love empty catch phrases.
Rich and poor. Educated and uneducated. Religious and non religious. We all love Mr Trump. Check the polls . Who is number one? Can you say President Trump.
Sarge, not according to the WSJ
http://www.wsj.com/articles/ted-cruz-overtakes-donald-trump-in-latest-republican-presidential-poll-1455746450
Besides, I think it’s pretty widely accepted by the party, that as other candidates drop, their support will go to the other “non-Trump” candidate.
Only Hillary and her rich friends read the Wall Street Journal. What would Bernie say? You might check the other polls instead of this rogue one.
Sarge, you are absolutely correct, no one reads the Journal. Smallest paper in America.
The Wall Street Journal (2,276,207) circulation and there are now 10.1 millionaires. Like I said only Hillary and her rich friends, including the crooks that bailed out the big banks, read the WSJ.
Sorry, you haven’t shown there to be a link between total circulation and total number of millionaires in the country. I’m not disagreeing that more affluent people, might read the journal, then say people such as yourself. But that’s neither here nor there.
Really though why would you vote for this guy? Do his catch phrases appeal to you that much?
Did you watch the town hall with Mr Trump on MSNBC yesterday? How can you not vote for him? Since it’s neither here nor there I have read the WSJ. I may have a higher level of education as do a lot of Trump supporters then you folks realize. The reality show star is for real. Even Obama’s blabbering is giving him a boost.
Well, speaking of DOPE – – or better yet, DOPES – – one must conclude the people of this state are DOPES for having allowed themselves to be DUPED into a belief that “their” state representatives actually represent them.
No where is this more evident than in the continuing march of our so called ‘legislators’ toward the full on legalization of recreational DOPE use. Clearly these reps don’t give a [redacted] for the well being of the children or families this reckless move will harm. Just as clearly these reps have been bought and paid for by under the table mainland “donor” cash.
So maybe it would be better for some of us to look in a mirror before we start calling anyone else a DOPE.
Mr. Trump’s actual response, “The Pope is a liar and if he doesn’t retract his statement I’m going to sue him”. If history is any indication of the future, Trump’s poll numbers will soar.
Trump is so sue happy, he will end up suing himself.
I thought that the Pope was Catholic?
Being a Christian isn’t a requirement to become President, nor should it be a concern.
Yeah. W. Bush is proof that even a devil can be come President.
Even the Late Reagan said to tear down this(Berlin) wall.
Good point.
No it’s not nana ! you heard of these words? Socialist Communist.
On the other hand GOOD walls make good neighbors. The wall erected in Berlin (because of the foreign policy debacles of worst president we ever had) was a BAD wall.
Many believe the wall proposed by The Donald is long overdue and as such a very GOOD wall.
The Holy Father has every right to his opinion, but in such political matters he is NOT speaking EX CATHEDRA (i.e. “from the chair” of unquestioned/absolute moral authority)
You do not want to upset the leaders outside of America when you are the POTUS.
I always thought that business demand for cheap labor in Mexico?
I don’t see the See taking in any refugees at the Vatican.
Donald’$ fifth wife is HOT. He likes that foreign tongue, I mean accent. This man is a devil. The worst candidate for POTUS every. He should run for PUSTOS.
Try not to be so subtly nuanced. Tell us what you REALLY think.
“..a person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.”
And, SO; How would you define/defend “THE VATICAN”?
Have you seen the Vatican? I have. It is opulent, filled with invaluable art, billions of dollars worth. If the Catholic church was truly for the downtrodden, it would liquidate that treasure house and give the resources to the poor. Same goes for Catholic land holdings worldwide.
You know Donald IS WALL ST.,right.
I agree that with your description of Vatican City, as well as other cathedrals across the world. However, and I am by no means an advocate of any church, especially one which covered up abuse as the Catholic one did, but the church does support many worthy causes. However, I think your position is incorrect. Foundations do not liquidate their corpus, that is how future income is generated.
Maybe the Vatican guards would like to help out and guard our borders.
Not wise to discuss ones religion? A cardinal rule if you want to build bridges and tear down walls. Fences are considered walls?
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don’t fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don’t fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin’ breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don’t fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridge where the West commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can’t look at hobbles and I can’t stand fences
Don’t fence me in
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies
Don’t fence me in
Let me ride through the wide country that I love
Don’t fence me in
…Wondering how anyone could ever keep down meal after having an image of a singing thos foisted onto them.
The Pope should get out of the political business,and stick to preaching the Good word of God through his beloved son Jesus Christ! He job is to prosper Christianity and spread his words. And Yes! Jesus was NOT a Socialist! POPE Francis is!
He complains about Trump building The Wall,though hypocritical the Vatican is surrounded with WALLS.It’s there for security,the same thing Donald Trump is proposing to do,for all of us !To keep Americans citizens safe,hence “Security”!
I can bet,when Donald Trump becomes president,he’ll be the First to save the Pope and the Vatican,when ISIS decides to attack the Vatican……You know how big ISIS is, on Old Christian artifacts!
I don’t know if it’s just me or what,but it seems where ever he goes he stirs things up. Look at his last visit to the US. He came here to show the Compassion of Christianity, and yet encourages Socialist ideoloy,siding with the President.This one gets me…..Then when meeting with Majority leader John Boehner (R)? The next day he resigns? How weird is that!
Yes! I believe the pope should stick to the scope of his work…By spreading the word of The Almighty God Jehovah.And Please..Stay out of the politics!Havn’t you heard “All Politicians are Stupid”?? IMUA
As always, you are lying. Vatican City is not surrounded by walls. Why would you make up something that is so easy to disprove?
Build a wall along the U.S. and Mexico borders? OK, then tear it down right after that.
How about all those child abusers the church has been lying and covering for? Guess they are A-OK with the Pope then.
Even for you, this is a remarkable statement. What does this have to do with Donald Trump? Can’t you ever make sense?
This would be funny if it wasn’t so crazy:
“For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful,”
…And, here you have DT explaining to the world — not to mention the Pope — what his job is and why he’s doing it badly.
He’s probably shaking his head and muttering, “don’t worry, Frank: we BOTH forgive you.”