Pope Francis vs. Donald Trump

I have been reading some incredibly misleading commentary everywhere from Twitter, Facebook, Television and Newspapers. I have always said that “America’s favorite sport is Big Lie Anti-Catholicism.”

Canonization-2014 by Jeffrey Bruno / Aleteia Image Dept. used under CC License

Also, as I have said to critics of the Catholic Church, “If you’re not Catholic, then all of your information comes from media, and therefore, you only know three things. There’s an organization called The Catholic Church, there’s a place called the Vatican, and there’s a guy called the Pope. Other than those three things, you’ve only heard half-truths and lies.”

Here’s what Pope Francis actually said.

“…a person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not in the Gospel. As far as what you said about whether I would advise to vote or not to vote, I am not going to get involved in that. I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said things like that. We must see if he said things in that way and in this I give the benefit of the doubt.”

Here’s some of the misleading media reports.

Donald Trump by Gage Skidmore used under CC License

The Huffington Post…Pope: Trump ‘Not Christian’

The New York Times… Pope Francis suggests Donald Trump Is ‘Not Christian’

CNN…Pope Francis: Building A Wall Is ‘Not Christian’

Naturally the Tweets and FB posts completely prove that Americans are low-information ‘media morons.’

Let’s take one more look at what Pope Francis said. This time I’ll add my commentary in Italics.

“…a person who thinks only about building walls,…”

“Only” is a small word with a huge meaning. Pope Francis is discussing a person with an isolationist mindset. One of The Pope’s first and foremost functions is to be a teacher. He takes this opportunity to teach everyone to care for each other and not lock themselves within a self-absorbing cocoon.

“…wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.” Mr. Trump has bragged about his negotiating skills whenever given the chance. That means he’s describing himself as a bridge builder, which also means that the Pope’s commentary cannot be applied to Donald.

“This is not in the Gospel. As far as what you said about whether I would advise to vote or not to vote, I am not going to get involved in that.” Wait a minute! Did the Pope just say that he is NOT injecting himself into American Politics? Could it be that he knew that the reporter was trying to goad him into commenting directly on a candidate?

“I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said things like that. We must see if he said things in that way and in this I give the benefit of the doubt.” Notice that the Pope said “if he said things in that way…” Therefore, saying that you’re going to “build a wall” does not meet with the Pope’s criteria. One would have to say “building a wall” within the context of complete isolationism in order to garner the moniker of ‘non-Christian.’ The Pope denies applying it to Donald Trump with the words ‘benefit of the doubt.’

Take another look at those headlines. Are they not completely misleading?

For those who feel I’m nit-picking…don’t! Pope Francis like all others before him are very guarded concerning their off the cuff commentary. If anyone were to look at quick statements made to reporters by Popes and actually examine them as compared to what gets broadcasted, you’ll find the same misleading pattern over and over again.

Have you changed your mind about this nonsensical media-hype B.S?