It's been a busy few weeks since President Donald Trump was inaugurated but that hasn't kept one of our favorite feuds, between Trump and Pope Francis, from rolling on.
Admittedly, it's been a one-sided affair since the two first traded barbs last February over Trump's plans to build a wall. "A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," the pope said at the time. Trump called the pope "disgraceful" in response.
In recent times, the pope has continued to deliver shade at Trump's immigration policy in his tweets. Trump, so far, has not bitten back.
I express my solidarity with migrants around the world and thank all those who help them: welcoming others means welcoming God in person!
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 18, 2016
May the Holy Family watch over all child migrants and accompany the vulnerable and the voiceless on their journey. @M_RSection
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) January 15, 2017
The tweets are pretty standard messages of love and charity one would expect from a religious leader, except they take on an added edge given the context of Trump's immigration rhetoric, particularly the much-protested travel ban.
And the low-key shots at Trump aren't going unnoticed by the president's supporters. Take, for example, the replies to this recent tweet by the pope.
How often in the Bible the Lord asks us to welcome migrants and foreigners, reminding us that we too are foreigners!
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) February 18, 2017
@Pontifex Really. So the Jesuits encourage invasions,by illegal immigrants. Let it be, that they invade the Vatican City next. ? Let it be!
— Tony Santana (@TonySantanaZA) February 19, 2017
@Pontifex Trump's ban is TEMPORARY, so we can implement an EFFECTIVE vetting process and not let in terrorists who will kill us. Is that OK?
— Bartholomew (@JerseyJeepster) February 18, 2017
Some responses dropped a meme that's been popular with those who support Trump's immigration plan, playing off the idea of getting in to Heaven.
Another favorite meme, mentioning the Vatican's own wall, has been used in responses as well. Though this one is a bit misguided as we noted last year: the Vatican has a wall, but it also has a very large, wide open entrance that anyone and everyone is allowed to walk through.
And, yes, some even took part in God-splaining to the pope.
@Pontifex Muslims torture Christians to death by the thousands. Jesus would not approve of you're outlook on it.
— . (@Th3_commodore) February 18, 2017
As Trump prepares a new version of his travel ban, the sparring will surely continue, so keep eyes on the pope's twitter feed as the pontiff continues to stay woke.
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