What Pope Francis Said About Donald Trump: Timeline Of Feud Between President And Pontiff After Latest Vatican Criticism

Pope Francis appeared to take a shot at President Donald Trump’s policies Wednesday, stating that a Christian “would never say ‘you will pay for that.’”

Trump has repeatedly vowed that he will build a wall along the entirety of the United States-Mexico border and make Mexico foot the bill. While not mentioning Trump by name, he again criticized policies that he said seek to divide rather than unite during his weekly address. His speech coincided not only with the church’s day of reflection for victims of human trafficking but the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, a 19th-century Sudanese slave who migrated to Europe.

“In the social and civil context as well, I appeal not to create walls, but to build bridges,” he said, according to the Associated Press. “To not respond to evil with evil. To defeat evil with good, the offense with forgiveness. A Christian would never say ‘you will pay for that.’ Never.

“That is not a Christian gesture,” he continued. “An offense you overcome with forgiveness. To live in peace with everyone.”

It is far from the first time that the Pope, who has been criticized by conservative factions of the church for his more liberal stance on social issues, has clashed with Trump.

February 2016: Before Francis departed for a trip to Mexico last February, Trump described him as a “very political person.”

On his way back to Rome, and just hours after praying for Mexican migrants who perished while trying to reach the U.S., Francis took aim at Trump’s proposed wall for the first time. “A person who thinks only about building walls — wherever they may be — and not building bridges, is not Christian,” he said. "This is not in the Gospel."

"I'd just say that this man is not Christian if he said it this way.”

Trump immediately responded with a sharp rebuke of the pontiff.

“For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful,” he said in a statement I am proud to be a Christian and as president I will not allow Christianity to be consistently attacked and weakened, unlike what is happening now, with our current President.”

November 2016: Just ahead of the election, Pope Francis again appeared to come out against Trump, suggesting he was a “false prophet.”

“No tyranny finds support without tapping into our fears," he said. "Dear brothers and sisters -- all walls fall. All of them. Do not be fooled.”

He also stated that those too attached to material things had no business in politics.

"Please do not meddle in politics, don't meddle in a social organization or a popular movement, because you will do much harm to yourself, to others, and will stain the noble cause you defend,” he added.

January 2017: Francis took a more conciliatory tone when sending Trump good wishes immediately following Trump’s inauguration last month.

“At a time when our human family is beset by grave humanitarian crises demanding far-sighted and united political responses, I pray that your decisions will be guided by the rich spiritual and ethical values that have shaped the history of the American people and your nation’s commitment to the advancement of human dignity and freedom worldwide,” he said.