Pope Francis told reporters over the weekend that he intends to discuss peace when he meets with President Donald Trump later this month.
Francis, en route from Fatima, Portugal, to Rome on Saturday, told reporters during an in-flight news conference, “I never make a judgment of a person without listening to them.”
Pope Francis told reporters that he believes he should never prejudge anyone, according to a transcript from Catholic News Agency.
“In our talk, things will come out. I will say what I think, he will say what he thinks, but I never, ever, wanted to make a judgment without hearing the person,” he said.
When pressed on his differences with Trump on issues like immigration and the environment, Francis said, “always there are doors that are not closed.”
Pope Francis has urged countries to welcome immigrants and refugees, while Trump has taken a hardline stance on both issues. Francis has also urged the world to take better care of the environment. Trump has called climate change a hoax perpetuated by the Chinese.
“Look for the doors that are at least a little bit open, enter and talk about common things and go on,” he said. “Step by step. Peace is handcrafted. It is made every day. Also friendship among people, mutual knowledge, esteem, is handcrafted. It's made every day. Respect the other, say that which one thinks, but with respect, but walk together ... someone thinks of one way or the other, but say that .... Be very sincere with what everyone thinks, no?”
Asked what the world can expect from the meeting, Pope Francis replied, “Peace.”
“And what am I talking about from now on with whomever? Peace,” he said.
Pope Francis and Trump are expected to meet at the Vatican on May 24.
During his presidential campaign, Trump said it was the "disgraceful" for the leader of the Catholic Church to say that Christians should seek to build bridges, not walls.
