Bishop Zubik: Pope "Not Being Judge," "Not Being Politician" In War Of Words With Trump
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese leader Bishop David Zubik says Pope Francis is not judging Donald Trump, weighing in on the holy war of words that erupted Thursday between the pontiff and the presidential candidate.
Pope Francis has thrust himself in the middle of the presidential campaign after making a trip to Mexico and showing full support for migrants there.
"He said negative things about me because the Mexican government convinced him that Trump is not a good guy because I want to have a strong border. I want to stop illegal immigration," Trump said.
The Pope was asked about Trump's plans to build a wall on the U.S. Mexican border:
"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 says things like that. We must see if he said things in that way, and in this, I give the benefit of the doubt."
"I'm a very good Christian because the Pope said something to the effect that maybe Donald Trump isn't Christian," Trump said.
Bishop Zubik weighed in on Trump's remarks.
"The Pope is not being a judge. The Pope is not being a politician. He's being a pastor, calling all Christians, including Donald Trump, if he's a Christian, to take a look at how we're living our faith," Bishop Zubik said. "If prejudice is the goal that dictates our relationships with others, then we're not being Christian.
"I don't think he's trying to be political. I think he's just trying to be the Pope and do the righteous thing and try to bring the world together," Mike Ubrey of Coraopolis said.
"I'm a Christian. I understand that. I also understand Trump's views," Linda Greene of Pittsburgh said.
Trump's social media director says that the Pope's comments were hypocritical.
On Thursday, he posted this statement on Twitter: "Amazing comments from the Pope -- considering Vatican City is 100 percent surrounded by massive walls."
