Pope Francis extended his congratulations to President Donald Trump on his second inauguration with a message that stood out for its warmth and encouragement. The Pope, who had previously been critical of Trump, expressed hope for a prosperous America under Trump’s leadership, urging the nation to strive for a just society free of hatred and discrimination. The Pope also called for peace and reconciliation amid global challenges, wishing divine blessings upon Trump, his family, and the American people.
Pope Francis sends letter to President Trump: “I offer you my cordial good wishes and the assurance of my prayers.” https://t.co/1UpDVIDptM pic.twitter.com/SODitUen1u
— ABC News (@ABC) January 21, 2017
In a similar vein, Pope Francis had sent a congratulatory message to Trump during his first inauguration in 2017, emphasizing humanitarian concerns and urging attention to the poor and marginalized. This time, the Pope’s words had a more hopeful tone, focusing on the potential for prosperity and justice.
Despite this recent message of goodwill, Pope Francis has not shied away from criticizing Trump’s policies in the past, particularly those related to immigration. He labeled Trump’s plans to ramp up deportations as a “disgrace,” pointing out that such measures unfairly burden migrants. The Pope expressed these views during an interview on an Italian television program, emphasizing that such actions do not solve problems.
Pope Francis has also weighed in on other political matters, including the moral considerations of voting for candidates who support abortion. Leading up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, he suggested voters choose the lesser of two evils, indirectly referring to Trump and his opponent, Kamala Harris.
The Pope’s past remarks included criticism of Trump’s rhetoric regarding a border wall with Mexico, questioning the Christian nature of such actions back in 2016. Despite these critical moments, Trump and Pope Francis have had personal interactions, including a private meeting in 2017, where Trump promised not to forget the Pope’s words.
The tradition of popes sending congratulatory messages to newly inaugurated U.S. presidents is a long-standing one. Alongside this, other global leaders, including Church officials, have reacted to Trump’s return to the White House. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, expressed hope that Trump would govern with wisdom, a virtue he noted as central to leadership according to the Bible.
Parolin highlighted the importance of Trump working to unite the country and overcome political polarization. He expressed hope that Trump could contribute to global peace efforts and reiterated the Vatican’s commitment to maintaining diplomatic relations with the U.S.
The Vatican acknowledged both areas of potential agreement and disagreement with Trump’s administration. While it welcomed cooperation on pro-life issues, it also raised concerns about Trump’s immigration policies, advocating for a balanced approach that avoids extreme measures.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also extended congratulations to Trump, with Archbishop Timothy Broglio emphasizing the Church’s political neutrality. The bishops conveyed a commitment to working with elected officials to advance the common good, regardless of political affiliations.
Broglio acknowledged that Catholic voters were influenced by the candidates’ differing stances on human dignity and economic issues. He noted that Trump’s previous administration’s support for human life resonated with many Catholics, while the Democratic nominee’s focus on abortion rights was less appealing.
In an interview, Broglio stressed the importance of human dignity and economic concerns as key factors for Catholic voters. He noted the lack of accommodation for freedom of conscience in the Democratic campaign, particularly regarding abortion, as a significant deterrent.
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Bergoglio is a snake!