Pope receives Trump: Middle East talks and protection of Christians, but also immigrants
Private interview lasts 30 minutes. Francis gifts Trump the message for the World Peace Day this year, titled "Nonviolence, a style of politics for peace", pointing out some of its themes to the president. "This, he said, is for you so you can be an instrument of peace." "We can use peace," replied the president.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "Political negotiation and interreligious dialogue, with particular reference to the situation in the Middle East and the protection of Christian communities" were among the items discussed by Pope Francis and US President Donald Trump, received this morning in the Vatican.
The issues surrounding the first international voyage of the American president, who arrived in Rome after being in Saudi Arabia, Israel and Palestine, were also part of the 30-minute "cordial talks" between Trump and Francis. Both of whom, according to a Vatican note, " satisfaction was expressed for the good existing bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America, as well as the joint commitment in favour of life, and freedom of worship and conscience. It is hoped that there may be serene collaboration between the State and the Catholic Church in the United States, engaged in service to the people in the fields of healthcare, education and assistance to immigrants”.
Trump had arrived at 8.20 pm in the courtyard of St. Damasus in the Vatican, greeted by an honor guard of the Swiss Guard, by the prefect of Papal House Georg Gänswein and some gentlemen. The president, along with his wife Melania – wearing a black dress and veil, according to the Vatican protocol - was accompanied, in procession, to the private library. Francis met him in the adjacent hall and greeted him with an "welcome". Trump was also accompanied by his daughter Ivanka - also in black and wearing a veil - with her husband Jared Kushner and a delegation of nine other people, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
At 8.31 the private talks began. "I speak spanish," Francis began, flanked by his interpreter, Msgr. Mark Miles. The private interview lasted half an hour, up to a minute after nine o'clock.
Then came the presentation of the official delegation. The first to be presented to the Pope was the first lady Melania, a Catholic, of Moldovan origin, who was blessed with an object in his hand.
At the exchange of gifts, the Pope presented, the three programmatic documents of his Pontificate to Donald Trump: Evangelii gaudium, Laudato si and Amoris laetitia and also the medallion with the olive branch, explaining that it represents a "symbol of peace." In this regard, he also gifted him the message of the World Peace Day this year, entitled " pointing out some of its themes to the president. "This, he said, is for you so you can be an instrument of peace." "We can use peace," replied the president, who gave the Pope a casket, saying containing Martin Luther King's books. “I think you’ll like them, I hope so. "
The audience, with the exchange of gifts and the greeting of the delegation, lasted a total of 40 minutes. "I will not forget what he told me." These are the words with which the American President took his leave of Pope Francis.
Before the meeting today, relations between Pope Francis and President Trump were not particularly friendly. During his visit to Mexico in February 2016, Francis had said that "a person who thinks only of building walls and not bridges is not Christian." A phrase referring to the then candidate’s program of building a wall Between the United States and Mexico. Trump replied by saying that "the Pope is a very politicized figure. And he does not understand the problems we have Americans with immigration. "A few days later he had argued," If Isis ever attacked the Vatican, the Pope should hope and pray that Donald Trump is president. "
For his part, in an interview with Spanish El Pais, speaking of Trump Francis said in January,: "We will see, we will see what he does and then we will evaluate, always concrete: Christianity is either concrete or not Christianity ... Concrete things, and from the concrete we draw consequences, we are losing our sense of concreteness. "The concept was reiterated on May 14, when returning from Fatima, when he said:" We'll talk, say what we think, listen to each other. I never make a judgment on a person without listening to them. "
Trump said, "I can not wait to talk to Pope Francis," and yesterday, on the flight that took him to Rome, he was "honored" by the Pope's invitation, adding: "I have a lot of respect for him".
After meeting with the Pope, Trump met with Card. Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, accompanied by Msgr. Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.
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11/08/2017 20:05
