The message from the Pope isn't about the sacrament of confession. He is calling out the hypocrisy of every republican who calls himself a "Christian" but clearly lives in opposition to the teachings of Jesus.
He doesn't care if they go talk to a priest. He knows that won't solve the problem. He wants them to engage in soul-searching self-examination because what they are doing -- and always do -- is evil. The Pope is saying is that the POTUS and all his minions need to change -- repent. And stop claiming to be "Christians" when you are clearly not.
You started a war! You killed 170 girls! You terrorize and kill your own citizens! You have raped women and children and protected others who did the same! You have used your office to enrich yourself and to settle vendettas, not for the sake of public service. You are all the picture of vainglory. There is no love in any of you, only hate and selfishness.
The image of Trump holding up a Bible is so profane and perverse that it makes me want to vomit. He has clearly never read it. All this fake piety is obviously self-serving, not devotion to Jesus.
The thief (the one who is evil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees (MAGAs), you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them.
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.
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