Donald Trump met with Pope Francis, gave him copies of MLK’s books

I’m not sure what kind of voodoo was used today, but there has been a shift in the Force. Donald Trump managed to enter Vatican City without turning into a pile of ash. He managed to meet with Pope Francis without the soundtrack from The Omen mysteriously blasting through the loudspeakers, and without Pope Francis believing it was his duty to check Trump’s head for the 666 birthmark. Pope Francis made some pointed comments last year about the stupidity of Trump’s proposed border wall, Trump, in turn, trash-talked the Pope in several speeches.

According to the official line, Trump and the Pope met in the Sala del Tronetto, where they posed for photos, then media was ushered out. Trump and Francis then had a 30-minute meeting where they talked and exchanged gifts. Guess what Trump gave the Pope? Per ABC News: “Trump’s gift for Francis was wrapped in a big blue box. The president said he was delivering ‘books from Martin Luther King. I think you’ll enjoy them. I hope you do.’” The books were copies of Martin Luther King’s books and a display case for them, plus a piece of granite from the MLK Memorial (???). Pope Francis gave Trump leather-bound copies of his (the Pope’s) books. Trump promised that he’ll “be reading them.” And Trump said, “I won’t forget what you said,” but that was about what the Pope said in their private meeting, not what he said last year.

Meanwhile, did you hear that Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus were sent home early? Priebus and Bannon were widely believed to be the most senior “handlers” on Trump’s nine-day trip, but they were sent back to Washington after the Saudi Arabia stop. They were probably sent home to try to deal with the ongoing crisis involving Trump, Russia, and seemingly everyone in the White House. Speaking of, Chris Christie is apparently telling people that Jared Kushner asked him for advice about getting a lawyer. Christie prosecuted Kushner’s father and sent him to jail, and that’s one of the big reasons why Christie isn’t part of the Trump administration. While everyone formally denies that the conversation happened, sources still insist that Kushner sought Christie’s advice about whether Trump needs an outside lawyer. Christie advised Kushner that yes, they’re all going to need lawyers and that Baby Fists “better lawyer up and keep his mouth shut.” Which is why I think Bannon and Priebus were sent home – these people are in full ass-covering mode and everybody’s getting lawyered up.

Pope Francis’s face, you guys. He’s all, “I made a terrible mistake.”

Photos courtesy of Getty.

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169 Responses to “Donald Trump met with Pope Francis, gave him copies of MLK’s books”

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  1. IMO says:

    Oh come on, we all know he won’t be reading the Pope’s books. What a liar.

    • Anitas says:

      Apparently the Pope’s book is about humanity being responsible for climate change, among other things. You have to ask yourself some serious questions when Catholics get to lecture you on scientific facts.

      • IMO says:

        I’m actually not surprised because if I recall correctly the Vatican urged Drump to change his climate change position.

      • Ghost says:

        A lot of scientists were Catholic, and the Catholic church does not deny science? I don’t understand your comment.

      • jwoolman says:

        Once they got past the Galileo thing, the Catholic Church has been pretty much in favor of science. No problem with the theory of evolution, for example. They’re not biblical literalists.

        So I hope Francis gave Donald an earful, on that and other things.

      • Kitten says:

        But even Republicans back in the day weren’t all climate change deniers. This wackiness is a relatively new thing, thanks in part to Tea Party and the Evangelical movement.

      • Arpeggi says:

        Actually, the Vatican has a full scientific staff. Despite publicly acknowledging that Galileo was right and shouldn’t have been prosecuted the way he was in like 1990, there have been astronomers, physicists, biologists and so on at the Vatican for centuries. The Church has been pretty inclined to accept the theory of evolution and the big bang at the same time as the rest of society because of all this and the official line (and it’s been like that for a while) is that the Bible shouldn’t be taken literally and that a lot of it are metaphors; “God” has other things to do than to strike lightenings and start hurricanes and so on.

        Now, what the Church has been quite against, for a very long time, is to have secular people access science and knowledge. Because if people are educated, the Church might lose its power over them (and looooots of money). To keep people ignorant is just as reprehensible IMO.

        As for Trump, yeah, he won’t read those books. I’m not sure the man can read anything past 6th grade level. Unless his staff makes charts to summarize it and inserts his name here and there, he won’t get anything out of them. I’m also pretty sure the Pope has read MLK already

      • EOA says:

        This is such an inaccurate stereotype, I don’t know where to begin. The Catholic Church is not anti-science, to the point that a Catholic priest postulated the Big Bang theory and a Catholic monk is considered the father of genetics. The Church accepts the theory of evolution and believes in man-made climate change.

      • Craven says:

        I am an atheist and for me a belief in a sentient unproved super being is just unscientific. But I have to say that in my research into different denominations and later other religions, I found the Catholic Church to be the most amenable to Scientific fact. Also, while I dont believe in miracles, I was really impressed by the lengthy confirmation process the Catholic Church prescribes before something can be declared a “miracle”.

      • Mandymc says:

        It’s the wacky sects of protestants that are the anti science folks. Like the Duggars, who believe the earth is 6000 years old blah blah blah. Can’t think of the actual denominations and I don’t want to offend anyone if I guess and get it wrong.

      • Chaucer says:

        This is a weird thing that the Church somehow got stuck with, but they’ve always been very pro science, even when they didn’t like the science. Scieneceer and religion for them are intertwined, not incompatible like some other religions. 🙂

      • Anitas says:

        I didn’t mean to say Catholics are anti-science, although as a religion Catholicism is still selective about the scientific theories it supports or accepts. I do agree it’s one of the more progressive religions in this way. My comment was more about a religious leader whose world view you’d expect would be shaped by religious dogma, be more open minded than a secular leader who is supposed to represent all of perspectives and leave the dogma out of it.

      • Anitas says:

        @Eoa

        I grew up in an overwhelmingly Catholic country where the national educational curriculum is under threat from Catholic lobbies funded and supported by the Catholic Church, in an attempt to marginalise the theory of evolution, influence what can and can’t be taught at biology classes, and let’s not even mention sex education. I understand Catholics have contributed a lot to science and they accept many theories, but to pretend like they are as a whole the fervent proponents of science and open-mindedness is just wrong. Come and see what’s it like at grassroot levels, all condoned and aided by the Church itself, and you’ll be less offended by the idea that overall they’re not the most open-minded people out there. No offense to any individuals, I’m just talking about the doctrine of meddling into secular education.

      • Sparkle says:

        A book about climate change is a lecture? Also, most Catholics don’t interpret the Bible literally so for an example, Catholics don’t believe the earth was formed by God in 7 days.

      • Original T.C. says:

        It might depend on where you grew up. Catholicism is very pro-science and pro education. That’s why even non Catholics send their Children to Catholic schools for superior education. Growing up, my Catholic priest was very encouraging of my persuit of the Sciences, furthermore he actually feared to say Jews and Muslims as part of Abrahamic Old Testament followers are praying to the same God we pray to.

        The problem with Catholic practice is the religious dogma against women, abortion, gays and LGBT people.

      • Betsy says:

        @ Ghost
        A religion cannot be against birth control and abortion and fully consider itself pro-science.

        And it wasn’t just Galileo they didn’t like, though they’re light years ahead of the fundies on accepting evolution and other fundamentals of science.

      • Clare says:

        @EOA a catholic monk is considered the father of genetics? Not being obtuse, but I thought the father(S) of genetics are Watson and Crick?

        I’m interested to know who you mean?

      • Paleokifaru says:

        @Clare I’m sure she means Gregor Mendel.

      • Bobby the K says:

        Gregor Mendal (http://anthro.palomar.edu/mendel/mendel_1.htm), has been considered the father of genetics through his efforts in the selective breeding of plants.
        Watson and Crick’s discovery of the 3d double helix model of DNA, which came about a century later, was a huge breakthrough, but also relied on the work of other previous researchers.

        The Vatican Observatory is also a well respected scientific and historical institution.

      • Paloma says:

        Anytime someone brings up Watson & Crick’s DNA helix, I feel obliged to include the work of Rosalind Franklin, who died of ovarian cancer too soon to elaborate on her great contribution. Had she lived, she should have won the Nobel Prize too.

        And yes, the prior comment was re: Gregor Mendel.

      • Nancito says:

        I am a devout Catholic and I found @Anitas comment funny. I’m sure it was meant just as a lighthearted comment.

      • brincalhona says:

        @Paloma – thank you for mentioning Rosalind Franklin

    • Rachel says:

      Well obviously not. It’s more than a page, and it doesn’t include his name as every other word.

      • Esmom says:

        Exactly. And I find it really sad that he gave the Pope the MLK books likely having never read a single word of what MLK has written. I wonder who came up with that as a gift idea because it certainly wasn’t any of the Trumps.

    • Mumzy says:

      Trump probably gave him books about Martin Luther cause he thought they were the same person…who’s doing amazing things these days! Winning!

      • Bobby the K says:

        It’s true Paloma, Rosalind Franklin should have been awarded the Nobel prize posthumously.

      • Nancito says:

        Maybe the books are really Trump’s books but with MLK bookcovers on them. Thereby, he tricks the Pope into reading his own books thinking that the Pope will be fascinated with his books and be amazed at his genius.

  2. Lightpurple says:

    The facial expressions in that Addams Family picture are priceless. And those women look ridiculous. Pope Francis relaxed the dress code and the head coverings and severe black are not necessary. And did Ivanka get dispensation from her rabbi to be there – the one who says he hasn’t heard from her in months?

    ETA: Trump just lawyered up for the Russia investigation.

    • tweetime says:

      The thing that’s freaking me out the most about it is that with their hair covered and those expressions you can really see how alike Ivanka and Melania look.

      • Lightpurple says:

        Well, they probably use the same surgeon.

      • Original T.C. says:

        I like that it’s Melania (the person who never talks about religion) that is doing the proper head covering while “Orthodox” Ivanka is the one who does not know how to fully cover her head. She has to always go for the sexy look. I feel that her and Jared’s claims to Orthodoxy is nothing but Bull sh-t. Like the Evangelical politicians! Otherwise greed, lack of ethics and morals is the new Orthodox Jewish slogan.

    • ncboudicca says:

      Right…I woke up and saw these photos and had a complete WTF with those outfits. I’m giving Melania a pass because I think she is at least nominally RC and may remember her mother or grandmother dressing for church that way or something, but Ivanka makes me hurl.

      • Megan says:

        The other wome in the room are also dressed in black with their head’s covered so I guess the dress code thing did not catch on. Although I can’t, for the life of me, figure out why Ivanka is dressed like the bride in a satanic wedding.

      • Lightpurple says:

        Are the other women in the room also part of the delegation? Then, they’re taking the directives from Melania. Or they’re nuns.

    • Sixer says:

      That photo is hilarious and creeptastic in equal measure. Look at that unhinged grin he’s doing. It’s not a holiday selfie FFS! Poor Pope.

      • Lightpurple says:

        And the Pope is keeping a good six inches between them. Melania seems to be thinking: “He looks maniacal again and if he grabs my butt again, I’ll deck him.” While Princess Nagini is trying to look all “I’m outdoing Jackie Kennedy at the funeral because I am the fairest princess of them all” but she’s coming off as Corpse Bride.

      • Giddy says:

        Melanie and Princess Nagini (thanks Lightpurple!) look like they are wearing costumes. Maybe for a funeral out of The Godfather. The Pope looks completely miserable. Pope Francis worked with the poor. I imagine he knows what Bigly is getting ready to do with the poor here with cuts to Medicaid etc.

      • Indiana Joanna says:

        @Sixer

        baby fists and his bizarre family really are creepy here. The Pope seems to realize he just wasted 30 minutes of his life on these degenerates.

        Ivanka is trying to channel the Madonna.

      • Sixer says:

        I don’t usually go for all the body language stuff, but this photo almost makes me!

      • Megan says:

        The pope’s body language suggests Trump smells really bad. Like he almost said, “what’s that awful smell?” but realized it was Trump just in the nick of time.

      • Erica_V says:

        That grin is the stuff of nightmares. oh my god it’s horrifying.

    • LadyMTL says:

      In the last pic the Pope looks like he’s just waiting for the camera to be lowered before bolting off…he’s standing so far apart from the rest of them. Not that I can blame him, ofc.

    • SusanneToo says:

      Francis is thinking “Just shoot me now!”

      • bleu_moon says:

        During the campaign Pope Francis said about Trump, “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.” Then Trump blathered on about how what the Pope said was “disgraceful” and that when ISIS invaded the Vatican the Pope would wish Trump was president. At the time Trump winning seemed far fetched.

      • Mumzy says:

        Photogs captured the moment the Pope realized that he felt a rapidly spreading burning sensation on his hand and back where trump had touched him only a moment ago…he realized he had been touched by the prince of destruction.

      • Indiana Joanna says:

        @Mumsy

        LOL

    • jwoolman says:

      Head coverings haven’t been customary for women in American Catholic churches since I was a teenager in the 1960s, dunno if the Italians maintained that tradition or of protocols were different for meetings in the Vatican. Amusing that they didn’t cover their heads in Saudi Arabia but did in the Vatican, though….

      • Lightpurple says:

        I have attended Mass in the Vatican several times, even attended a Mass celebrated by the Pope at the Vatican and head-coverings were not required. Only nuns were wearing veils and that was based on their order. The nuns I was with just wore long sleeved dresses, no veils.

      • EOA says:

        It’s traditional for women to wear black veils during these kind of visits. Michelle Obama wore one when the Obamas first met Pope Benedict at the Vatican. It is my understanding that Francis has relaxed these rules a bit but Melania and Ivanka were in safe territory wearing the veils. (Not inclined to defend them usually but it is what it is).

    • jwoolman says:

      Yes, yes! The Addams Family! That’s exactly what it looks like!!!

    • Norman Bates' Mother says:

      Actually, I just read an article accusing her of not being modest enough due to th heavy eye make-up. According to the Catholic journalist – the protocol requires women to wear all black, scarves on their heads and only natural-looking make-up when they are meeting the Pope in this particular room – apparently it was a bigly faux pas by the Vatican standards.

      • Lightpurple says:

        That’s the old protocol. This Pope discourages the head scarves. But yes, makeup should be minimal.

    • Lolo86lf says:

      Facial expressions speak volumes here. Melania and the Pope look absolutely miserable.

    • Manjit says:

      I saw that photo and immediately thought “The Royal Tenenbaums”.

    • AnnaKist says:

      The tRump women look like Mafia wives at a Don’s funeral (if only…!), and the Tubby Emperor thinks he’s now head of the Family. Pope Francis’ face, though… “Dear God, I’m sorry.”

  3. Jenns says:

    That last picture is going to be my screensaver.

  4. Clare says:

    What are peoples views on Ivanka/Melania wearing traditional head wear in Israel and the Vatican, but not in Saudi Arabia?

    Personally I think it’s quite a point to make, to conform to Catholic and Jewish traditions, while snubbing Islamic ones. OF course there are loads of angles to this (meeting Pontiff v meeting King, Ivanka is Jewish, etc). Interested to know what you guys think?

    • Sixer says:

      I think people who are officially representing their country abroad should decide on an approach to varied cultural dress codes and stick to it, regardless of where they are. No using it as diplomatic code so that it signals friendship to one entity and rebuke to another.

      • Mumzy says:

        Spot on. Just seems like basic manners and diplomacy…..oh wait, right…. Nevermind. We will just keep praying for better days ahead.

      • Megan says:

        If Melania and Ivanka had worn headscarves in Saudi the deplorables would have gone nuts. It was about playing to the base, not signaling approval or disapproval.

    • Nicole says:

      Well Ivanka IS Jewish so I know there’s rules dictating that she wear something to cover. Not sure where they visited in SA but I hope if hey went to a place of worship they covered up. I know when I go into churches or temples i bring something to cover my shoulders or whatever custom is traditional. SA is different because rules technically dictate you must be covered the entire time…which no.

    • littlemissnaughty says:

      It’s a really difficult issue I think. Personally, I subscribe to “Offend everyone or no one.” but since Ivanka is Jewish, I’ll say there’s an exception. I think it’s all total bullsh*t, that’s my personal opinion. On the other hand, I will always respect places of worship or holy sites. I don’t walk into a Catholic church in inappropriate attire because that’s not my house and if I don’t want to respect it, I can stay outside. I would adhere to the rules in a mosque as well.

      I can’t judge how disrespectful it was of the women not to wear a headscarf but I would think it was noticed. Would they EVER do this with the Pope? No. And they don’t have to, do they? Angela Merkel has never worn a damn thing on her head, no matter who she’s met. I would personally be upset if she did.

      • Clare says:

        Sixer and Lilltmiss – agree with you both. I think stick with ONE standard and apply it to everyone. I think this sticks out more because they were respectful of Jewish and Catholic traditions (Trump wearing a Kippah, Melania and Ivanka covering their heads in the Vatican – while Trump is not Jewish, Ivanka is not Catholic blah blah blah).

        The message this sends, to me, is that they will respect Jewish and Catholic traditions, but Islamic traditions are ‘less’ than the others. I of course understand (and respect) Ivanka doing her thing in Israel, but the hypocrisy and snub are pretty clear (just my opinion). I feel like this creates (or rather displays) a hierarchy of respect for different faiths/traditions.

        I agree with Merkels stance – not to conform to anyone’s standards, just her own. Like you say, its an impossibly difficult choice to make, and I feel very very uncomfortable saying what a woman should or should not wear (hence asking what you guys think, without forming my own judgement on this)…but this seems like a bit of weaponising their clothing to make a point.

        to add: I was in Saudi for work 2 years ago and didn’t cover my head – no one ever said anything about it (I am not white, so not as obvious ‘foreigner’), but I definitely felt like I stuck out. If I had a scarf with me I probably would have used it, just to attract less attention.

      • littlemissnaughty says:

        Just to add a littlem something on Merkel. I pointed that out because I think for her it would be disastrous to ever conform to any of the traditions, rules, whatever. She’s our chancellor first when she visits these countries, a woman second. As soon as she conforms to any of the women-specific rules, she’s – in my opinion – no longer truly equal to the male world leaders. That is why I personally think she should NEVER. At least not in official meetings.

        For other women, the lines aren’t so clear. But this was deliberate and I think Melania and Ivanka did it to make a point and to make the photo op with Pope Francis more striking.

      • Cherise says:

        Thats a good distinction to make littlemissnaughty. Serious question, does the Queen ever wear hair covering? And did Michelle cover up visiting either of the three destinations?

      • Who ARE These People? says:

        One last question because everyone has covered this so well, but it is it a difference if they are entering a ‘house of worship’ instead of a secular office? Did the Trump women go to a mosque and if they did, would they cover up?

        Ivanka’s choice of headwear, both in Israel and at the Vatican, has been ridiculous.
        As someone already noted, she looked like the corpse bride in Rome.

      • Sixer says:

        I think each country should have a diplomatic code and stick to it. I think each country has to come to an agreement about what it thinks is best. This can be “we do not cover up or wear religious headgear in any cases” or “we adopt the dress code required by the hosts whether it is religious or not”. Up to each country how it approaches these things.

        What I don’t like is changing the approach to send a coded signal about your country’s attitude to the country you visit. That’s politicking inappropriately.

        Cherise – the BRF covers hair if visiting religious places that require it. Examples:

        http://diamondjubilee.hellomagazine.com/imagenes/queens-jubilee/tours/201209141130/william-kate-assyakirin-mosque/0-6-370/kate-mosque9–a.jpg

      • littlemissnaughty says:

        @ Who ARE These People?: I’m not sure how Trump et al. approached this as I haven’t followed their trip that closely (my nerves needed a break) but I think so? Ivanka didn’t cover her head during the entire Israel portion of the trip, did she? You could argue that although Yad Vashem is not a house of worship, it is entirely appropriate to treat it in the same manner.

        But in general, I think there is definitely a difference. Diplomatic meetings should not be treated the same as a trip to a religious place (be it a house of worship or holy site) because the latter is not strictly necessary for bilateral relations. And as I said already, it’s a meeting between politicians first and foremost. They need to be on equal footing. As soon as a female leader defers to religious sensibilities, she has – in my view – given ground.

      • Megan says:

        I would be very surprised if they visited a mosque in Saudi. Sunni’s do not allow non-believers into their mosques.

      • Clare says:

        @MEGAN that’s not true. Sunni’s do allow people of other faiths into mosques, absolutely. In fact they are generally required to allow anyone seeking shelter into a mosque. Men and women are often segregated, though. I have been to dozens of mosques – used to work in the ME briefly, mosques for weddings, the big mosque near Regents Park for Eid feast, etc. I’m guessing dozens of people on here have too, as tourists, if nothing else. The only Sunni mosques where non-Muslims are not allowed (not including insane extremist nonsense here, just the mainstream) are the ones in Mecca and Medina – where I understand they are reticent about allowing people into the city itself.

        Tldr; your comment that Sunnis don’t allow non-Muslims into mosques is straight up false.

      • Megan says:

        @CLARE – I have worked and traveled extensively in the Middle East and North Africa, including Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Iran. In fact, I just returned from two weeks in the region on Sunday. While Sunni nations have a mosque or two tourists can visit, simply walking into a mosque is not allowed. In Morocco they go so far as to station men with sticks in mosque doorways during the call to prayer to ensure no tourists wander in.

      • Sixer says:

        No idea about MENA but the vast majority of Muslims in the UK are Sunni. Almost all the mosques are open to non-believers. In fact, they almost all do “visit a mosque” days as community outreach. Like Clare, I’ve been in multiple British mosques. Never had a problem. Never been made to feel unwelcome. In fact, quite the opposite.

      • Megan says:

        @Sixer it is quite different in MENA where Islam is both the religion and the culture. I visit the ME quite frequently and literally just returned from a work visit. I find it amazing when people try to convince me what I actually saw is false.

      • Sixer says:

        Like I say, no experience of MENA countries. I’m not trying to convince you of anything and don’t disbelieve you. But that’s not what you said up thread. Perhaps you might like to alter your original statement from “Sunnis don’t…” to “MENA countries don’t…” – otherwise I might also find it amazing that you are trying to convince me that what I have actually done is false! 😉

      • Clare says:

        @Megan (and apologies for the previous all caps – unintentional). I accept your experience in the ME, of course, but it is completely different from my experience, and Sixers. My point is, you made a blanket statement that ‘Sunni mosques’ don’t allow non-believers to enter – this is not true. It may be that SOME mosques don’t allow non-believers to enter, but these mosques run contrary to the canon and Muslim law. I have actually just checked this with an Islamic Scholar at my University – who confirms that mosques are required, by Islamic Law to offer shelter to *everyone*.

        Genuinely not trying to convince you of anything, and certainly not that your experience is not real or valid. Just stating the fact that your blanket assertion that Sunni mosques don’t allow non-Muslims entry, is not true.

        And to address your points about MENA – I can’t speak for North Africa, but I’ve been to mosques in several ME countries – mostly for weddings, but as a tourist, and as a guest of a friend (on Eid), in Kuwait, Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Clearly we have had very different experiences.

    • Brea says:

      This is an interesting question! Just wanted to point out that head covering for women it’s not a tradition anymore in the Catholic church.

      • Lightpurple says:

        And hasn’t been since Vatican II in the mid-1960s. It continued for formal state visits with the Pope but Pope Francis has relaxed that rule. Camilla met with the Pope recently, wore beige and no head covering, looked fantastic.

      • boredblond says:

        There are no rules unless you have an arranged meeting with the pope..long sleeves, black, head thing, according to stories published today. This is probably the least offensive thing I can think of in regard to this bunch..

      • Lightpurple says:

        @Boredblond but Pope Francis has relaxed those rules and has been encouraging women not to dress in all black or cover their heads when meeting him.

    • Beth says:

      When the Obamas visited Saudi Arabia and Michelle didn’t wear a head scarf,Trump ranted and raved on Twitter about how disrespectful she was. He must have forgotten. He’s the worst hypocrite in history

      • Cherise says:

        There a sub reddit dedicated to past Trump contradicting Present Trump. They are never without material to post.

    • Lightpurple says:

      They’re insulting everyone every step of the way. Ivanka only wore her hat to the Western Wall but that’s it. She dispensed with it for the rest of the Israel section of the trip even though they went to several other sacred places.

    • LadyMTL says:

      I’ve travelled to several Muslim countries and never covered my head, though if I went to a mosque I’d always make sure to dress apropriately (long sleeves, skirts to the knee or longer) just out of respect. I think for the most part if you keep in mind that you’re in someone else’s country and should respect their beliefs / traditions, you’ll be fine.

      As for Melania and Ivanka, I think they went overboard at the Vatican. As others have pointed out, the dress code was relaxed under Pope Francis, so they really didn’t need to wear the veils and etc. I don’t know that I would give them enough credit to say that they were deliberately snubbing Islam by not wearing a head-covering in SA, I doubt they’re that subtle.

    • Patricia says:

      I wouldn’t wear anything on my head anywhere, for any reason. I’m a free person, I’m a free woman and no one can make me cover my head. I don’t believe in it for myself.
      So would I wear spaghetti straps and shorty shorts into church? No. I would dress appropriately. But I wouldn’t put something on my head for anyone. As a woman I am beyond that. Women should only cover their heads if it’s their own conviction to do so. Places where women are forced to cover their heads are places of suppression.

      • Nicole says:

        This. I subscribe to respecting houses of worship. If I travel I try to fit in churches, temples or mosques on one day so I can dress appropriately. Nothing worse than seeing tourists try to enter a church in shorts.
        Head coverings is just a no go for me.

    • Larelyn says:

      Y’all, Vatican 2 happened in 1959. We’re Making American Great Again, right? Let’s get back to the basics of 1950! They aren’t hippies, headcovers for everyone! (Unless you are a white American male meeting with any ethnicity that isn’t WASP. Ergo 45)

    • Pumpkin Pie says:

      SPOT ON ! Im very glad you made that observation.

    • KJA says:

      I think I would have been more concerned if they were in a mosque or another holy site and not followed customs. We don’t have the equivalent of a Pope in Islam-and despite Saudi Arabia being so associated with the religion, outside of Mecca and Medina, it’s really just another majority Muslim country-so I don’t think a direct comparison really works tbh. What they were wearing, and what other visiting people have worn is perfectly acceptable-covering their hair isn’t necessary.

      Eugh…did I just defend the Trumps?

    • Cee says:

      I’m atheist and even though I do not respect the Catholic Church, nor this Pope, I always cover my shoulders and chest when visiting the Vatican or any catholic church. I’ve never been inside a mosque (not sure you’re actually allowed in) but have been to different religious ceremonies and have always adapted to their customs. On my opinion that’s just showing respect. While in Morocco I did cover my head and did not take offense when I was never addressed directly.

      • Lady D says:

        Common courtesy and simple respect. If only everyone could practice this, what a wonderful world it would be.

  5. ida says:

    Ivanka looks like she has cried the whole night. Melania might have asked herself what she was doing there. The Pope is super serious. Trump looks like the morron he actually is. Jesus have mercy.

    • Lightpurple says:

      Ivanka posted a picture of herself blowing kisses while all dressed up in a beautiful garden last night. It did not go over well and thousands pointed out to her that it was grossly inappropriate to flaunt such wealth on the same day her father’s budget, which will hurt millions of Americans, particularly frail elderly women and disabled children, was realized; the aftermath of the Manchester bombing, and why are we paying for her to be there?

      • Lightpurple says:

        Edit: “realized” should be “released.”

      • Who ARE These People? says:

        Right… “ciao, Roma” or something like that… so tone deaf. She really does think she is princess and is getting all pouty that other people don’t agree. She would have been better off hiding her inadequacies in the business world. Ditto for her crazy dad.

      • Beth says:

        Thank you, my fellow Americans! So sweet of you to spend your money on me for this expensive trip, which I can afford to paý for with my own millions of dollars. There’s absolutely no reason for me to go so why use my own money? I know daddy could’ve used this money on the hungry, elderly,, disabled, ill,childrens education, and the environment, but wasting your money is so much fun!
        Cìao! Hugs and kisses,
        Princess Ivanka

  6. littlemissnaughty says:

    That last photo is everything. The Pope is deeply unhappy about the company he’s forced into and the two women look like they’re about to star in a sad, unstylish sequel to The Witches of Eastwick.

  7. PunkyMomma says:

    That last pic is very American Horror Story, no? Ivanka looks like she’s about to be married off to Beetlejuice.

  8. Nancy says:

    A face only a Pope could love. A soul only a…….can’t go there, he doesn’t have a soul.

  9. Anitas says:

    That last photo. Melania looks like she’s not feeling well at all, Ivanka looks like the black widow who just poisoned her step-mother, Trump is congratulating himself on his life choices and the Pope just wants these people out of his house.

    • Clare says:

      To be fair, I’d look ill too, if Orangina was within touching distance of me.

  10. Aiobhan Targaryen says:

    I don’t know if I believe that Jared story only because Jared comes off as a vindictive, elitist, sad sack who thinks he is smarter than he actually is. Why would he stoop so low to ask someone who he considers an inferior for legal advice? Why would Chris actually say anything helpful to Jared given everything Jared has done to stymie Chris’ chances at bullying teachers and union leaders at the federal level? I want to believe that this story is coming from the Bannon faction of the White House.

    Melania has the same look that the Pope has on.

    • Megan says:

      Christie made a name for himself prosecuting corrupt government officials. Maybe Kushner wanted a list of defense attorneys who managed to beat Christie.

    • holly hobby says:

      Trump hired his family lawyer to rep him. Not a true criminal attorney. This guy is very brash and probably doesn’t know how to handle federal investigations. Oh well maybe that’s a blessing.

    • Cynical Ann says:

      Yeah-I don’t buy Jared went to Chris Christie for advice. He hates him with a passion.

  11. Clare says:

    Man, we really need to find those horcruxes asap.

    • Kate says:

      lmao

    • Kelly says:

      For Trump, could they be a signed and inscribed to himself copy of The Art of the Deal, a 12 pack of Coke cans, pictures of Princess Nagini, and a toupee all in a KFC bucket.

      For Ryan, possibilities include the collected works of Ayn Rand, a 12 pack of Miller Lite (New Glarus Spotted Cow and other WI microbrews shouldn’t be wasted), a signed Aaron Rodgers jersey, Johnsonville brats and mass produced cheese, skim milk all in a foam cheesehead hat. They can be destroyed by pouring a bottle of Malort, can/bottle of Surly or Goose Island, drinking a cup of Intelligentsia coffee, and eating proper stuffed pizza and Chicago style hot dogs.

      Pence’s horcruxes can be destroyed with same tools with the substitutions of pasties and Oberon.

  12. Kate says:

    At least, Minute Maid Mussolini seems to know MLK’s dead.

  13. Brea says:

    You can see Pope Francis can’t stand his ass and his politics. I also need to know who convinced these people that women meeting the Pope have to dress like stereotypical Sicilian widows. You don’t have to cover your head.

  14. lala says:

    Why do Melania and Ivanka look like they are cos-playing 1950s Catholic women on Good Friday? yikes….

  15. vauvert says:

    That last pic is everything. The moron grins, the Pope looks sad and terrified, the two cat faced women both looked like they smell a fart. What’s with the widow weeds and the bride of Dracula head veils? This is cosplay / theme dressing. I wont even go into how they didn’t don head coverings in SA but they do it…. at the Vatican. And Nagini is hypocrisy personified; as others above have said, nude middle turned trophy wife may have at least been raised Catholic, but isn’t Precious First Daughter firmly Jewish now?

    As for Priebus and Bannon, they either had a falling out with Orange Glow and they’re off to pack their bags in DC or as some others have presumed they rushed home to lawyer up and do some serious coverup work. The fact that both possibilities are equally likely tells you everything about the dysfunctional morons.

    • Giddy says:

      I think they’re lawyering up, and trying to figure out who’s decided to talk to the FBI. I read that even lower level staffers in the WH are terrified that they might need lawyers, and most of them can’t afford one.

    • Cherise says:

      Theres speculation that the sudden decline in White House staffer leaks has Trump suspecting both of them of being his Deepthroat and sent them back in a tantrum. (Of course they are both leaks….I mean isnt it obvious!)

  16. bleu_moon says:

    You left out the best part! The Pope asked Melania what she “gives him [Trump] to eat- potica?” Potica is a kind of cake from Slovenia.

    • Beth says:

      Trump looks like he eats quite a bit of potica. Probably has an entire cake with each bucket of KFC, pile of Big Macs,and burned steak with ketchup

    • Maria F. says:

      i mentioned it on the other thread. Seems a tiny bit of shade to me, no?

      Like calling DT chubby….

      • bleu_moon says:

        Oh yes, total shade from the Pope. Pope Francis was pretty critical of Trump during the campaign.

      • bleu_moon says:

        In further shade- the CB article just says the Pope gave Trump some of his books. What Pope Francis gave Trump was a copy his 2015 encyclical. In it the Pope is pretty emphatic about the need for drastic reductions in fossil fuel emissions. He’s very pro-environment for a Pope. Interesting choice of gift for a pro-coal, climate change denier. 😉

      • PunkyMomma says:

        Love Pope Frank trolling Cheeto Mussolini on climate change.

  17. Norman Bates' Mother says:

    I can’t explain why, but Ivanka reminds me of the Slitheen family from Doctor Who and it’s even more visible in the picture with the Pope. http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/villains/images/0/0e/The_Slitheen_Family.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130313154501

  18. Nicole says:

    Let’s be real…Trump isn’t fit to touch MLK books

    • jwoolman says:

      Not to worry. They don’t have enough pictures to interest Trump, and no mentions of his name to keep him reading.

    • Cynical Ann says:

      MLK is rolling in his grave right now that Trump was handling them and actually acted like they were important to him.

  19. Alexandria says:

    The poor Pope’s face is all full of WTFs it’s like his life is flashing before him. Do Popes go for confession?

    • jwoolman says:

      Yep, they do…..

      • Alexandria says:

        Thank you Jwoolman and Anastasia. In that case, a session might be due after all the inadvertent cussing under his breath hosting the Malfoys. Just photoshop Bellatrix inside that last photo and it would still look like she’s part of the fam.

    • Anastasia says:

      Yes, they can and do.

    • Olenna says:

      That’s Jonathan Pryce. The Vatican couldn’t risk having the Pope tainted by Cheeto dust and viral stupidity, so they hired him as a stand-in.

  20. Lenn says:

    Ivanka makes me want to vomit.

  21. grabbyhands says:

    That picture is probably one of the most accurate representations of each them ever- Ivanka doing her best serene daughter wife look, Melania is wondering if they have enough time to get out of the building before lightning strikes down and kills them all, 45 grinning like the clueless moron he is and Francis is all “Why did I agree to this?”.

    I’m only shocked that dipshit didn’t give him copies of his OWN books complete in some gold plated box with this face etched on it.

    • Disco Dancer says:

      Imagine that! If that dipshit gifted the Pope with “The Art of the Deal”?

  22. Beth says:

    That stupid grin on Trumps face is punchable. Is that nut job smiling thinking about how many scoops of ice cream he’ll have or is he smiling with joy not realizing everyone in the room hates him

    • Giddy says:

      Bigly is probably thinking about what an honor it is for the Pope to get to meet his bloated Orange self. (and ice cream)

  23. bacondonut says:

    amidst the cesspool of misery this week has unleashed upon us, this is the only funniest story I have come across. that last photo! the grin on Emperor Cheeto’s face is unreal. the negative body language as well from Melania towards him (side profile pic), it practically SCREAMS “Don’t touch me you orange turd!”.
    Someone called it the Addams Family photo and that theme song was the first thing that popped into my head seeing them all lined up, looking like they were going in for a rectal exam. Except the Pope, he’s cool like that

  24. Anastasia says:

    Look at that little priest photobombing them in the very top pic! Cracks me up! (Everyone’s already said what I would have said.)

  25. Suzanne says:

    By far the most cringeworthy photo taken of the first family. He usually has his resting sour face on when he should be smiling and here he should be pleasantly subdued like the rest of the bunch and instead he’s grinning like “Here’s Johnny” in The Shinning… The two women looked like Stepford wives…or an ad for that reality show called Breaking Amish. I see no resemblance between the two women in looks. Both are smug looking most of the time…like they smell something rank. The pursed lips on Ivanka and Daddy annoy me. The sons are just creepy…with the Munster comb back thing going on. I don’t know…this just seems like a total ill fitting family for this job. Too much resistance going on for it to succeed…and I had hoped HE would succeed just to piss off the left.

  26. SusanneToo says:

    Maybe Pope Francis knows how much trump admires Duterte’s final solution to the drug problem.
    http://twitter.com/braddjaffy/status/867159485864857601

    • swak says:

      From Politico: According to the State Department’s 2016 Human Rights Report, which was last updated in March, police and vigilantes in the Philippines had killed more than 6,000 suspected drug dealers since July, the month after Duterte took office. An “apparent governmental disregard for human rights and due process” was among the State Department’s “most significant human rights problems” in the Philippines.

      How can ANY ONE support this type of behavior is beyond me. Trump has no clue as to what is good and what is “evil”.

  27. swak says:

    And we have made another ally angry: US officials leaked news of the Manchester bombing when they were not suppose to do so.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/manchester-attack-us-leaks_us_592488f1e4b00c8df29f5622?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

  28. Ophelia says:

    The Pope looks like he’s none to pleased to have a bewigged Devilled Egg breach the holy Vatican’s walls.

    Almost looked like he was wondering why his schedule for the day magically freed up, when he was sure it’s blocked full until kingdom come.

    Or thinking “That Benedict chap was far-seeing and wise to resign the papacy when he did, tbh.”

    • Ange says:

      Eh, considering all the misery the catholic church has doled out over the years I think Trump being allowed in is right on par. Nobody has their hands clean.

  29. Lisa says:

    OMFG, that last picture. Have you ever seen such depletion?! Of course, the Cheeto is oblivious to all of it. The Pope usually has a ready smile and even he couldn’t fake it this time.

    • Cynical Ann says:

      I watched the photo op when they first met and were standing there. You’re right-Pope Francis is usually very smiley and he looked serious and not at all happy to be standing with Trump.

  30. Beth says:

    Donnie and Melania just walked off Air Force One and he didn’t even try to touch her. He must be embarrassed about everyone in the world seeing her not want him to go near her

  31. Keri says:

    Read some other news sites for this recap as this misses the point. The pope did not smile or initially speak to Trump. He made fun of Trump’s weight to Melania. And the books he gifted were on climate change. The visit was short and described as tense.

  32. agnes says:

    This Darth Vader helmet Malaria is wearing is everything *LOL*

  33. third ginger says:

    Thanks to everyone for the hilarious comments. I need those as I have just been reading a horrible CNN article about Trump supporters in PA. who refuse to believe the administration has ever done anything wrong. One older lady [about 6 years older than I am, to be honest] said that if Trump had been crooked, he “would never have gotten in.” I should have only pity, I know.

    • Beth says:

      So frustrating when people refuse to see the true facts. How much more proof do they need before they’ll finally admit they were conned? Do these fools have to become homeless, starving, broke, and without any health care before they see what a crooked disaster they supported real is? This makes me want to scream

  34. Skylark says:

    Poor Pope F, having to entertain such idiocy. He looks seriously traumatised.

  35. pupax says:

    HAHAHAHA what the frak are the women even wearing?
    Did they think Italian women still dress like it is 1940?
    I cannot even…..

  36. RBC says:

    Ivanka looks like she is going to marry Darth Vader

  37. Lightpurple says:

    Princess Nagini has posted the group picture on her Twitter. Jared is actually standing next to her but he was cropped out of the one that is getting the most circulation and she posted the version without her husband. People are telling her how ridiculous she looks.

  38. Escaped Convent says:

    While it isn’t a bad idea for the Pope to check for the “666” under Trump’s creepy hair, there are other ways to identify the Orange Devil. A 16-foot square sinkhole just appeared in front of Mar-a-Lago. I’m sure it’s there to give the Orange Creature a quick, convenient portal to Hell. He’ll have to check in there after his trip, since that is where he draws his strength. 😈

    • Beth says:

      There are always sinkholes here in Florida, but Trump supporters will say the one at Mar a Lago is him keeping the “drain the swamp” promise

  39. SANDRA F COPPOLA says:

    What the hell is on Ivanka’s head? She looks like she’s making her Holy Communion dressed in black!

  40. TyrantDestroyed says:

    I totally understand Francis’ shock face: You don’t get to meet everyday the 21st century version of the Borgia family. He must have though that Alessandro came back from the underworld to haunt everybody because he didn’t get to be buried in San Pietro 😂

  41. porcupette says:

    “Next week on Sister Wives . . .”

  42. Disco Dancer says:

    Ivanka and Melania look like mummies dressed up to be exhibited in a museum. I hate these 2 free loading, worthless women so much!

    And Trump looks like a fat, gross and stinky pig. This man’s corpse is going to rot and stink within hours.

    And Pope Francis looks equal parts disgusted and shell shocked that this guy is the president. I feel you Papa.

  43. Greta from Munich says:

    Barak, I miss you. ❤️ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YVc0wBLri1A