The 2016 U.S. presidential campaign got more interesting. Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church, questioned GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump’s Christianity due to his plans of building a wall along the United States-Mexico Border.
"A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be and not of building bridges, is not Christian. This is not the gospel," the Pope said, according to BBC. The Pope added that he will give Trump the benefit of the doubt because the Pontiff is not too sure of Trump’s intention and how he actually talked about building a wall.
According to The Guardian, Trump responded to the Pope’s comments during a campaign event in South Carolina, “For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful.”
“No leader, especially a religious leader, has the right to question another man’s religion or faith,” Trump added. He also blamed the Mexican government for misinforming Pope Francis. The presidential candidate also added that he could prevent an ISIS attack on the Vatican City.
But by Thursday evening, Trump seems to have mellowed down and tried to de-escalate the tension, according to CNN. "I don't like fighting with the Pope," Trump said in a CNN-hosted event.
Donald Trump also described Pope Francis as a wonderful person and that he likes his personality and what the man represents. Trump blamed the media for all the drama that occurred between them as tagged as the two of the most influential men. He then exclaimed that the Pope actually said something much gentler than what the media reported.
Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi told Vatican Radio that Pope Francis did not intend to attack Donald Trump personally and is not trying to sway any person’s vote. The Donald Trump vs. Pope Francis story might end soon peacefully, as Trump has also invited the Pope for a peaceful talk.
