Former US president Donald Trump got a front-row seat to his own public rebuke on Saturday, April 26, during the funeral of Pope Francis.
Trump, who arrived in Rome the day before, sat alongside world leaders as the late popeโs long-standing opposition to one of his signature policies was echoed for millions watching around the world.
Delivering the homily, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re recalled Pope Francisโ enduring call for peace and dialogue. He pointedly referencing the pontiffโs frequent exhortation: โBuild bridges, not walls.โ
Trump and the US-Mexico Wall
The message was a thinly veiled swipe at Trumpโs controversial promise to erect a wall along the US-Mexico border โ a pledge that became a flashpoint during his presidency.
Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for more than a decade, died earlier this week after a prolonged battle with health issues, including respiratory and mobility complications that had limited his public appearances in recent months. Known for his progressive stance on social issues and his fierce advocacy for the marginalized, Francis often clashed with global leaders, including Trump, over issues of immigration, climate change, and economic inequality.
Pope Francis: Building Walls Unchristian
Pope Francis had repeatedly criticized the idea of building physical barriers, saying those who prioritize walls over bridges could not call themselves Christians โ a remark Trump once dismissed as โdisgraceful.โ
It remains unclear how Trump reacted to the homily. But the moment underscored the sharp contrast between the late popeโs vision and the US presidentโs policies.
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