Trump Calls the Pope ‘Disgraceful’ in Spat Over Border Wall

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump blasted Pope Francis as “disgraceful” after he said that Trump was not a Christian because he wanted to build a wall on the Mexican border.
Trump Calls the Pope ‘Disgraceful’ in Spat Over Border Wall
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the University of South Florida Sun Dome on February 12, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Jonathan Zhou
2/18/2016
Updated:
2/18/2016

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump blasted Pope Francis as “disgraceful” after he said that Trump was not a Christian because he wanted to build a wall on the Mexican border.

“For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful. I am proud to be a Christian and as President I will not allow Christianity to be consistently attacked and weakened, unlike what is happening now, with our current President,” Trump said in a statement

After the end of a six-day tour of Mexico, Pope Francis told reporters who asked him about Trump that anyone who “thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.” the New York Times reports.

Pope Francis smiles next to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto (R) and First Lady Angelica Rivera (L) before boarding a plane for Rome at the airport in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico, on February 17, 2016. (RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images)
Pope Francis smiles next to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto (R) and First Lady Angelica Rivera (L) before boarding a plane for Rome at the airport in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico, on February 17, 2016. (RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images)