Pope Francis on Monday congratulated President Donald Trump on his second inauguration, offering a positive and hopeful message that contrasted with the sharp criticism that Catholic Church leaders have previously leveled at him.
The message the Pope (87 years old) sent to Mr. Trump was: read:
As you assume the office of the 47th President of the United States, I extend my warmest greetings and pray that Almighty God will grant you wisdom, strength, and protection as you carry out your high duties. . Inspired by your country’s ideals of opportunity and welcome for all, we will always strive to build a more just society where Americans can thrive under your leadership and have no place for hatred, discrimination, or exclusion. I hope so. . At the same time, as our human family faces numerous challenges, not to mention the scourge of war, we ask God to guide your efforts to promote peace and reconciliation among peoples. Masu. With this in mind, I pray for God’s rich blessings on you, your family, and our beloved American people.
On the occasion of Trump’s inauguration as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017, the Pope said: Sent A similar congratulatory “telegram” highlighted the “grave humanitarian crisis” and called for “consideration for the poor, the displaced and the needy.”
Pope Francis sent a letter to President Trump saying, “I sincerely wish him well and assure him of my prayers.” https://t.co/1UpDIDptM pic.twitter.com/SODitUen1u
— ABC News (@ABC) January 21, 2017
Pope Francis bluntly condemned President Trump’s plan on Sunday to drastically increase enforcement of immigration measures, including deportations, calling it “shameful.”
In an interview with the Italian Channel 9 program “Che Tempo Che Fa” (“What’s the Weather Like”), the Pope argued that “immigrants who have nothing will be forced to pay unpaid bills” (Reuters) reported. “That won’t work. This method won’t solve the problem.”
On September 13, 2024, when asked about the morality of voting for a pro-abortion candidate in the upcoming US presidential election, Pope Francis suggested voters choose “the lesser of two evils,” saying: He indirectly mentioned Trump and the Democratic nominee for vice president. Kamala Harris.
Pope Francis has also previously expressed concern about President Trump’s comments regarding his promise to build a wall on the border with Mexico, and in February 2016 criticized Trump for being “not a Christian.” (Related article: Pope Francis questions President Trump’s Christianity, President Trump also responds)
As part of his first international trip as president, Trump met privately with the Pope for about 30 minutes on May 24, 2017, after which he promised: said” President Trump then met with Pope Francis in the aftermath of the April 15, 2019 fire that destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral in France.
President Trump (@POTUS) Meeting with Pope Francis (@Pontifex)
Watch the full video here: https://t.co/J4U5bNbY6f Learn more: https://t.co/GN0CuMpDcd pic.twitter.com/iKHAm7vglH— CSPAN (@cspan) May 24, 2017
Pope’s message follows decades of unofficial progress tradition Popes send congratulations message to newly was launched presidentin addition to the reactions of many world leaders and church officials who reacted to the news of Donald Trump’s historic return to the White House. (Related: Putin congratulates Trump on presidential victory, calls Trump ‘manly’)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, expressed his hopes and wishes to reporters on November 7, 2024, that President Trump will lead with wisdom. According to To Catholic News Agency.
“Of course we hope so. [Trump] Yes, it is,” Parolin said outside the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. “At the beginning of his appointment, we pray that we will give him much wisdom, because according to the Bible, this is the main virtue of a leader.”
Referring to the divisive state of world politics, Parolin urged the then-elect to “strive above all to be the president of the whole country and overcome the polarization that has arisen and is so evident.” I asked.
Cardinal Parolin expressed hope that U.S. President-elect Trump will govern with wisdom, “because according to the Bible, this is the main virtue of a leader.”https://t.co/QWVLrLIBKl
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) November 7, 2024
“We also hope that he will be a factor in de-escalation and peace in the current conflicts that are bleeding the world,” continued His Grace. “He said he would end the war. Let’s hope so. But of course he doesn’t have a magic wand.”
Parolin also expressed confidence in the continued diplomatic relations between the United States and the Vatican, saying, “We have maintained our relationship with the President during his last term and will continue to do so in the future.” As always, there are factors that bring us closer, and there are factors that separate and push us further apart, and this is a challenge to practice dialogue and try to find more points of agreement in the interest of the common good and world peace. It will be an opportunity. ”
Opposition to abortion and efforts to protect human life without making it a “polarizing and divisive policy” are potential areas of cooperation, Parolin said, according to the report. Meanwhile, President Trump has promised to “initiate the largest deportation program in American history” as part of his immigration policy, but Parolin said the Vatican has “smart policies toward immigration that don’t take us to these extremes.” He said he supports it.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, provided On November 6, 2024, he congratulated the then-president-elect, praising the American people for “rejoicing in the peaceful transition from one government to the next.”
In his statement, Broglio also reiterated the church’s political neutrality.
The Catholic Church is not affiliated with any political party or with any bishops’ conference. No matter who occupies the White House or a majority in the Capitol, the Church’s teachings will not change. And we as bishops look forward to working with the people’s elected representatives to advance the common good of all. As Christians and as Americans, we have an obligation to treat each other with charity, respect, and civility, even when we disagree about how to conduct public policy issues. As a nation endowed with many gifts, we must also care for those outside our borders and be keen to provide assistance to all.
November 7th interview Broglio suggested on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) that Catholic voters are particularly motivated by the two leading presidential candidates’ differing views on human dignity and the economy.
“I certainly think our overriding concern for human dignity is one of the things that would have influenced those voters,” Broglio told “The World Over.” host and Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo.
“I think people are worried about the economy as well. I think that will be another factor. And in a very real sense, Catholics are worried about what the first Trump administration did to help save lives. “I think that’s probably a contributing factor as well,” Broglio continued.
Broglio also observed that the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign has “no room for freedom of conscience” on the issue of abortion.
“And in a very real sense, Vice President Harris made abortion rights almost the central issue of her campaign,” the archbishop said. “I think that would be very discouraging for many Catholics.”
Broglio continued that the U.S. bishops will continue to assert their “extreme concern” for “the dignity of the human person from the moment of conception until natural death” and for the poor and homeless. Ta. . US policy on immigration and IVF will also be a major topic of discussion with the incoming administration.
Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington (whose jurisdiction includes the nation’s capital), issued The Nov. 5 statement reminds Americans that “as people of faith and goodwill, we are called to work together in the pursuit of truth, justice, and peace in our homes, communities, and nations.” urging the people.
read @wasshoi_official Cardinal Gregory’s statement after the 2024 general elections. pic.twitter.com/Ur88AHatfm
— Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, DC (@WashArchdiocese) November 6, 2024
“Our path is one of mutual respect, sharing of God-given dignity, and generous offering of prayer, patience, kindness, and hope,” Gregory continued.
Mr. Gregory, 77, submitted age-required documents. Resignation It was announced on January 6, 2025 that Pope Francis, now 75 years old, has accepted the request and appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy, Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego, as his successor. He is scheduled to be installed as the 8th Archbishop of Washington on January 6, 2025. March 11, 2025. Pope Francis reportedly selected the liberal McElroy after receiving President Trump’s nomination. brian birchpresident of catholic vote Appointed to the Advocacy Group and appointed as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. The post during President Trump’s first term was held by Callista Gingrich, who was nominated to be the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland during President Trump’s second term.
The Daily Caller reached out to the U.S. Apostolic Church and former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, Callista Gingrich, for comment, but did not receive a response before publication.
