It’s always hard criticizing the Pope. Especially as a Catholic. However, it has gotten pretty frustrating watching the spiritual leader of the Catholic faith constantly inject himself into political discussions. He’s not a politician. His views on policy shouldn’t even be something we talk about. But, it’s 2017 and that’s how it goes.
Trump recently made the amazing move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
From Fox News:
President Trump on Wednesday formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying it’s time to “acknowledge the obvious” as he ordered the State Department to begin moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” the president said during a speech in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House.
The move fulfills a campaign promise made to religious conservatives. But it could also inflame tensions across the Middle East.
“This is nothing more or less than a recognition of reality,” Trump said. “It is also the right thing to do. It’s something that has to be done.”
According to Pope Francis. That was a bad idea.
From The Daily Mail:
But Pope Francis voiced ‘deep concern’ over Trump’s decision, and called for all to honour United Nations resolutions on the city, which is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Here’s more.
From Jerusalem Post:
Pope Francis, speaking hours before US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Jerusalem, on Wednesday called for the city’s “status quo” to be respected, saying new tension in the Middle East would further inflame world conflicts.
In an appeal at the end of his weekly general audience, Pope Francis called for all to honor United Nations resolutions on the city, which is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims.
“I make a heartfelt appeal so that all commit themselves to respecting the status quo of the city, in conformity with the pertinent resolutions of the United Nations,” he said.
The pope told thousands of people at his general audience: “I cannot keep quiet about my deep worry about the situation that has been created in the last few days.”
Yeah. The status quo has been really great.
Good grief.
A lot of people out there really aren’t happy with how political Pope Francis has been.
You can understand that.
Newt had a good take on all this.
From The Hill:
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said on Thursday he expects President Trump and Pope Francis will have some disagreements after the pope pushed back on Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
“Sometimes they’re going to have deep disagreements. This is one of those times,” Gingrich said on the Fox News Channel.
“I think you have two extraordinarily strong, historic personalities in Pope Francis and in President Trump. They had a very, very good meeting when President Trump visited. I know that the Vatican would like to have a very good relationship,” he continued.
