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A10 WORLD NEWS
Wednesday 24 May 2017
Trump, Francis: After clashing, a search for common ground
JONATHAN LEMIRE innocent people living and
NICOLE WINFIELD enjoying their lives, mur-
Associated Press dered by evil losers in life,”
VATICAN CITY (AP) — They Trump said.
are stylistic opposites, The pope expressed
one a bombastic tycoon- “heartfelt solidarity with
turned-president, the other all those affected by this
a famously modest pope. senseless act of violence,”
They disagree openly on especially the “children
such weighty issues as im- and young people” who
migration, climate change died. He made no mention
and economic policy. of anyone responsible.
But President Donald Trump While Trump and Francis
and Pope Francis share a may be in brief agreement
trait that adds drama to on a need for Muslim lead-
their first meeting Wednes- ers to do more against ex-
day: unpredictability. tremists, the president’s
And when they greet each prior anti-Muslim rhetoric
other — in a Vatican cer- — including his musing that
emony laden with history Islam “hates” the West — is
and symbolism — they may the antithesis of what the
well find common ground, pope has been preaching
particularly in denouncing about a need for dialogue
religiously inspired violence with Muslims.
and demanding Muslim Francis also differs sharply
leaders take a greater with Trump on the need to
stand in rooting out fanati- combat climate change
cism from their places of U.S. President Donald Trump, center, returns the salute of a Carabinieri paramilitary officer, as he and economic inequality,
worship. arrives with his wife Melania at Fiumicino’s Leonardo Da Vinci International airport, near Rome, but they are unlikely to air
To reach public harmony, Tuesday, May 23, 2017. Associated Press their differences publicly
the two men, unquestion- and Francis has said he
ably two of the most fa- wanted to find common
mous figures on the planet, Mexican border and his monotheistic religions, last month as the pope ground in the meeting.
will have to set aside their declaration that the United coming after he visited the demanded the country’s Last week, the pope said
past and very public con- States should turn away cradles of Islam and Juda- imams teach their young to he’d “never make a judg-
flicts. Muslim immigrants and ref- ism. reject the use of violence in ment about a person with-
When Trump took his oath ugees. While pope and presi- God’s name and backed out hearing him out” when
of office on Jan. 20, Fran- “A person who thinks only dent differ on many social an Egyptian government asked about the president.
cis sent him a telegram of about building walls, wher- and economic issues, the crackdown on Islamic mili- “I think they may be a lit-
congratulations, offering ever they may be, and two are preaching from tants who have increasing- tle less different than we
his prayers for wisdom and not building bridges, is the same playbook in de- ly targeted the country’s think,” said Joseph Capizzi,
strength that the new pres- not Christian,” Francis said manding that Muslim lead- Christian community. a professor of moral theol-
ident’s decisions would be then. The pontiff has been ers take a greater stand “As religious leaders, we ogy at the Catholic Univer-
guided by ethical values. a vocal advocate for aid- against extremists in their are called to unmask vio- sity of America.
“Under your leadership, ing refugees, particularly mosques and communi- lence that masquerades “While the pope empha-
may America’s stature those fleeing the violence ties. It’s likely that both sides as purported sanctity,” sizes humility, he,
continue to be measured in Syria, deeming it both will seek to highlight such Francis said April 28 at Cai- like Trump, is a savvy media
above all by its concern for a “moral imperative” and common ground after their ro’s Al-Azhar, the revered, personality. He and Trump
the poor, the outcast and “Christian duty” to help. Wednesday morning audi- 1,000-year-old seat of Sun- both are effective at using
those in need, who, like Trump has never been one ence. ni Islam learning that trains the media. Instead, I think
Lazarus, stand before our to let an insult, perceived In Saudi Arabia on Sunday, clerics and scholars from their agendas really don’t
door,” the message read. or real, go by without a re- Trump implored Middle around the world. converge much, and thus I
It was a subtle reminder sponse, and he made no Eastern leaders to extin- Both Trump and Francis don’t see much opportuni-
that the two leaders had exception for the world’s guish Islamic extremism expressed dismay at Mon- ty for working partnership.”
gotten off to a very rocky best-known religious lead- from the region and de- day night’s deadly blast at Papal visits with heads
start over their different er. He called Francis “dis- scribed it as a “battle be- a concert in Manchester, of state are carefully ar-
views on migration. Francis graceful” for doubting his tween good and evil” rath- England, with the presi- ranged bits of political and
early last year was sharply faith. er than a clash between dent adding a shot at the religious theater that follow
critical of Trump’s cam- Trump’s visit to the Vatican the West and Islam. Those suicide bomber who deto- a specific program, with
paign pledge to build an is the third leg of his tour words echoed what Fran- nated it. little room for deviation or
impenetrable wall on the of the world’s three main cis said in a trip to Egypt “So many young, beautiful unwanted surprises. q
