PHILIP PULLELLA
Reuters
'One of the candidates for the White House, Republican Donald Trump, stated in a recent interview that the pope is a politician and maybe even a pawn, a tool for the Mexican government for immigration policy. He said that if elected, he wants to build a wall more than 1,550 miles long along the border. He wants to deport 11 million illegal immigrants, separating families, etc. Then I would first ask you what do you think about these allegations against him and if an American Catholic can vote for such a person?
POPE FRANCIS
'Well, thank God that he said, 'I am a political person,' because Aristotle defined the human being as a 'political animal:' so at least, I am human! And that 'I am a pawn...' well, perhaps, I don't know... I'll leave that to your judgment and that of the people... However, a person who only thinks about building walls, wherever they may be, and does not focus on building bridges is not a Christian. This is not the Gospel. In regards to voting and not voting, I will not get involved. I'm just saying that a man that is saying this is not a Christian, if he has really said all of these things. Until then, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.'
