Trump refuses to satisfy the Pope after scathing assault saying ‘it is not vital’
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Trump took questions from reporters on the White House lawn(Image: AP)
Donald Trump has said he won’t be meeting the Pope after unleashing a scathing attack on the pontiff because he doesn’t think it’s “necessary”.
Speaking with reporters before departing on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, the US President was questioned about Iran and the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, and whether he’d meet with the Pope because of their “differences”.
Asked about his viral fight with the Pope, who this afternoon hit out at “tyrants” spending billions waging war, Trump said: “It’s very important that the Pope understands… Iran killed 42,000 people that were totally unarmed.”
He added Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and said the Pope must understand this. Asked if he would meet with the Pope to “even out their differences”, Trump says: “I don’t think it’s necessary.”
When he’s asked if the fight was upsetting his Catholic supporters, he responded: “No, no, no, I don’t. I have to do what’s right.” He added “I have nothing against the Pope” but “I can disagree with the Pope… I have a right to disagree with the Pope”. Trump said he knows the Pope’s brother who he says is “MAGA all the way”.
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