Jeb Bush Speaks Out on Pope’s Comments About Trump’s Faith
During a campaign stop Thursday in Columbia, S.C., Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush was asked to respond to comments earlier in the day from Pope Francis that suggested GOP front-runner Donald Trump wasn’t a Christian.
The pope’s comments were directed at Trump’s border security and immigration policies. And while Bush said he doesn’t agree with some aspects of the billionaire’s proposals, he refused to question his faith.
“His Christianity is between he and his Creator,” Bush, who is a Catholic, said. “Now, as it relates to his policy regarding ISIS, he’s not the right guy to be commander-in-chief.”
The former Florida governor also seemed to distance himself further from the pontiff, saying he supports border security, and doesn’t feel it is an un-Christian position to hold.
“I support walls and fencing where it’s appropriate,” he said. “We should have a strategy to secure our border. That is clear. That is not an un-Christian thing to do, to make sure that people don’t come across our border illegally. That’s a just thing to do.”
Bush called the pope his “spiritual leader,” and said it was appropriate, as a Catholic, to receive guidance from him. But, there are some issues—particularly on economics and the environment, two issues where Pope Francis has shown a left-of-center view—where he doesn’t feel that would be appropriate.
He was careful not to disrespect the pontiff.
“I respect the pope,” he said. “His voice will be heard.”
