THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

And Media Coverage of Biblical Proportions

 POLITICO’s Nick Gass reports: Pope Francis may have picked a fight with the wrong bully, because after months of taking subtle swipes at Republican politicians, the pontiff went for a direct punch at Donald Trump on Thursday, suggesting the GOP poll leader is “not Christian” because of his desire to build a massive wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Ironically, the Holy Father said this on his way back to the walled-in Vatican City, and Trump, practically pre-programmed to counter-punch, fired off a withering retort. He not only called the pope’s comments “disgraceful,” but he also suggested that the Islamic State would find the Vatican to be a mighty fine target.

The back-and-forth between the spiritual leader and the often-crass candidate was stunning, even for this rule-breaking presidential cycle, and once again thrust Trump to the fore of the news cycle as the GOP field scrambles to make its last impressions before Saturday’s South Carolina primary.

The Blower says criticizing anyone for wanting to build a wall between the United States and Mexico is really stupid, especially a guy whose entire Vatican City is surrounded by a walls, with the most restrictive immigration and citizenship policies of any nation in world.