Pope says Donald Trump 'not a Christian'

Pope Francis has questioned Donald Trump's Christian faith over his vow to build a border wall to keep out immigrants, sparking a backlash from the Republican presidential candidate.

"Anyone, whoever he is, who only wants to build walls and not bridges is not a Christian," the pontiff told journalists Feb. 17 during his return journey from a trip to Mexico.

He was responding to a question about the billionaire's anti-immigrant stance.

"Vote, don't vote, I won't meddle. But I simply say, if he says these things, this man is not a Christian," Francis said.

"We need to see if he really said them and for this I will give him the benefit of the doubt." 

After initially launching into an audacious denunciation of Francis, Trump later softened his tone dramatically.
"For a religious leader to question a person's faith is disgraceful," Trump said in a statement delivered on a campaign stop in South Carolina, which holds its Republican primary this weekend.

But hours later, at a townhall event, the real estate tycoon heaped praise on the pontiff.

"Oh, the pope is a wonderful guy," Trump said, suggesting the media had hyped and exaggerated the tone of his earlier statement.

"I have a lot of respect for the pope. I think he's got a lot of personality, he's very different, a great guy, and I think he's doing a very good job, he has a lot of energy." 

Trump said the pontiff was misinformed, unaware of the impact of the drugs coming into the United States and a range of security issues that make it necessary to build a wall.

The leading Republican presidential candidate also said he would welcome an opportunity to meet the pope.

Trump has gained popularity by claiming Mexico is...