‘It is my hope that under your leadership the American people will prosper and always strive to build a more just society’
—
Pope Francis congratulated President Donald Trump on the occasion of his second inauguration Monday, offering a positive and hopeful message in contrast to sharp criticism the leader of the Catholic Church previously aimed at him.
ThemessagesenttoTrumpbytheHolyFather,87,reads:
Ontheoccasionofyourinaugurationastheforty-seventhPresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,IoffercordialgreetingsandtheassuranceofmyprayersthatAlmightyGodwillgrantyouwisdom,strengthandprotectionintheexerciseofyourhighduties.Inspiredbyyournation’sidealsofbeingalandofopportunityandwelcomeforall,itismyhopethatunderyourleadershiptheAmericanpeoplewillprosperandalwaysstrivetobuildamorejustsociety,wherethereisnoroomforhatred,discriminationorexclusion.Atthesametime,asourhumanfamilyfacesnumerouschallenges,nottomentionthescourgeofwar,IalsoaskGodtoguideyoureffortsinpromotingpeaceandreconciliationamongpeoples.Withthesesentiments,Iinvokeuponyou,y
