According to the Associated Press, Pope Francis criticized President Donald Trump on Wednesday without ever saying his name.
While celebrating the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita – a Sudanese refugee who came to Europe in the 19th century and became a nun – the pontiff said, “In the social and civil context as well, I appeal not to create walls but to build bridges. To not respond to evil with evil. To defeat evil with good, the offense with forgiveness. A Christian would never say ‘you will pay for that.’ Never.”
He continued, “That is not a Christian gesture. An offense you overcome with forgiveness. To live in peace with everyone.”
This was not the first time Francis voiced his concern over President Trump’s policies, during the 2016 campaign, the pope was critical of Trump’s anti-refugee and anti-immigrant policies.
In a letter that Francis sent to the President after his inauguration, he wrote “America’s stature [will] continue to be measured above all by its concern for the poor.”
When Francis was asked about his opinion on Trump’s plan for a wall on the border of Mexica and America, the pope said that anyone who would think up and execute such an idea is “not a Christian.”