At Pope Francis’ Funeral, Trump Confronts “Build Bridges, Not Walls” Message
At a solemn yet politically charged funeral for Pope Francis on Saturday, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re reignited one of the late pontiff’s most pointed messages — one aimed squarely at US President Donald Trump.
Speaking before hundreds of world leaders and a crowd of 250,000 at St. Peter’s Square, Cardinal Re urged compassion for migrants, an end to wars, and urgent action on climate change. Echoing Pope Francis’ famous rebuke of Trump, he called on the world to “build bridges, not walls.”
The tension between Trump and Pope Francis had simmered for nearly a decade, starting with Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2016. At the time, the Pope criticized Trump’s hardline immigration policies, suggesting that anyone who thinks only of building walls “is not Christian.” Trump had fired back, calling the Pope’s comments “disgraceful.”
Now, with Francis’ passing at age 88 from a heart stroke, Cardinal Re’s remarks served as a reminder of the late Pope’s enduring social message — and a veiled challenge to those in power.
“Pope Francis touched hearts in a direct and immediate way, deeply sensitive to today’s anxieties and hopes,” Re said, calling for continued commitment to the ideals Francis championed.
The funeral also carried a heavy internal meaning, signaling to Catholic cardinals the principles they may prioritize as they prepare to elect a new Pope.
As millions watched across the globe, the message was unmistakable: Francis’ vision for a more compassionate world remains alive — and as politically potent as ever.
