“A person who thinks about building walls wherever they may be instead of building bridges is not a Christian.” This was the reply of Pope Francis when asked about Donald J. Trump.
I believe his words were a metaphor for someone who divides people by creating lies and deception and boogeymen. They do so on an ounce of truth (if any at all) and are not acting in the good faith of a Christian or any man of God for that matter.
And Vance is no better, although he is Catholic and wanted a photo op with the Pope in a visit of less than five minutes (an opportunist at best) and violates every ounce of the Pope’s human compassion. Pope Francis’ life experiences and moral conviction contradicts every thing about Trump and his presidency.
Pope Francis was concerned for the poor and alienated and stressed faithful humility over exaggerated pride and self-confidence and arrogance. Pope Francis diligently and faithfully earned the beloved title “The People’s Pope,” and he shocked the narrow-mindedness of many when he said, “Who am I to judge?” Living a life of humility and simplicity as a Jesuit Priest, he lived the vow of poverty among refugees and learned first hand of their courage and sacrifice and ability to work hard. He became the voice for them and the marginalized and the forgotten.
He washed the feet of the poor and the imprisoned. He spoke out against mass deportation. Immigration was in his DNA. As it should be all of us.
We all come from somewhere. Yet too many have tolerated—if not applauded—dehumanizing immigrants and migrants. As we see with what is happening today, Pope Francis would remind his faithful the words of Christ, “To love one another as I have loved you,” and “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Put simply, what goes around could come around. Only caring about your own rights is how you can lose them.
Those not born in America are “the canary in the mine.” Trump has already said he’s coming for the “homegrown”—American citizens. Deporting anyone seen as an inconvenience. So we all better pull together. In Pope Francis’ words, “We are all God’s children and we are better together than we are apart and to not let division come between us.”
The last words of “The Messenger” of love and peace is this, simple and clear: “We are to practice human kindness.”
I hope Trump and Vance get the message. But I’m not holding my breath.
J.M.
