Even His Holiness has not got time for this
Today, as part of his first major foreign tour, Trump visited The Vatican in Rome for an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis. The 30-minute meeting included a photocall with the Pope, Trump, Melania and Ivanka, in which Trump grinned broadly as His Holiness… did not.
The Pope had been pretty unequivocal in his views on Trump before their meeting, saying he was ‘not Christian’ over his plans for a US-Mexico border wall. ‘A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian’ the Pope said.
‘For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful’, Trump had shot back.
The Vatican visit was widely considered to be a bit of a peacekeeping mission, but if we learned anything from the encounter, it’s that Pope Fran is absolutely A-1 at throwing shade.
At least, that’s what these little details of their meeting appear to show…
The Pope wasn’t smiling (and he’s a pretty smiley guy)
— Simon Hendriksen (@SimonHendriksen) May 24, 2017
Pope Your Enthusiasm pic.twitter.com/joAC3sk5oe
— Seinfeld Current Day (@Seinfeld2000) May 24, 2017
Pope Francis with the perfect 'this motherf**ker right here' expression.pic.twitter.com/qxDvrLenUu
— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) May 24, 2017
— JoeMyGod (@JoeMyGod) May 24, 2017
Nice shot of a cheerful Pope Francis giving Trump the tour. 'Chairs, floor, walls … We're done, get out.' pic.twitter.com/94Rv9U8h9t
— Damien Owens (@OwensDamien) May 24, 2017
‘It’s a very great honour’ said Trump about the meeting to a group of reporters. The Pope said…. niente.
In presence of pool reporters @POTUS said to @Pontifex it's "a very great honor." The pope did not say anything. He did not smile. pic.twitter.com/Li0uhlE7w9
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) May 24, 2017
The Pope gave Trump a copy of his encyclical on climate change (widely described as a ‘politically loaded gift’)
Trump and Pope Francis exchange gifts at the Vatican. The Pope's present for the president? A letter on climate change.
— InxsySparxs (@InxsyS) May 24, 2017
He also gave Trump this…
NB: Pope Francis gave President Trump a sculpture of olive tree: "I give it to you so that you may be an instrument of peace." (@Tornielli)
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) May 24, 2017
Then there was this little aside to Melania…
Pope Francis to Melania (via translator), “What do you give him to eat, potizza?”( local pastry?). Did the Pope just fat shame Trump?
— Sandra Savickas (@NalaTheSleeze) May 24, 2017
The Pope speaks English, but he chose to speak to Trump in Spanish. Some have suggested he was making a point about where his loyalties lie…
The Pope speaks great English but chose to speak Spanish and use a translator w/ Trump. Petty Pope is the best Pope.
— ZACK LABOUR JR. (@neaterguyonline) May 24, 2017
Obviously ALL of the above could simply be coincidental.
But still. Well played, Pope.
