Pope Francis and U.S. President Donald Trump could meet at the end of May. The British Catholic newspaper the Tablet, citing diplomatic sources, said the two will meet while President Trump visits Italy for the G7 summit in Sicily.
The president and the pope have sometimes been put at odds over immigration especially in relation to the U.S. border with Mexico, but also with regard to recent executive orders.
“The Pope has made refugee assistance a key focus of his papacy and has temporarily named himself head of the refugee and migration section of the new Vatican Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development.”
The U.S. Bishops Conference is the first line of communication and engagement with the U.S. government on immigration and refugee issues. They are very engaged in this issue.
Other positions, such as Trump’s promise to support pro-life policy goals, could have a bearing on U.S. relations with the Holy See.
Rome will work to accomplish what she can during Donald Trump’s presidency. Make no mistake about it. Whatever their differences, they will work with the president on the issues on which they agree. That’s what they did during the Obama administration.
It has been a question in many minds, how long would it be before President Trump makes a visit to the Vatican? Now we know, more or less – four months. Remember, America leads the way to Rome.
“The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.” Maranatha, page 187.