NEW YORK -- Bored with beating up his Republican presidential rivals, Donald Trump turned his ire on the Pope on Wednesday, warning the leader of the Catholic Church not to criticise capitalism.
In an interview with CNN, the property tycoon was asked about the Pontiff's outspoken views on capitalism, which he has blamed for creating social injustice and climate change.
Trump said he would like to meet Francis, who visits the US next month, but added he would not listen to a critique of the capitalist system. He did note, however, that he would remind the Pope that members of the Islamic State, known as Isil, want to invade the Vatican and kill him.
"I'd say, 'Isil wants to get you,'" said Trump. “You know that Isis wants to go in and take over the Vatican... I'm going to have to scare the Pope because it's the only thing."
Trump continued: "The Pope, I hope, can only be scared by God. But the truth is - you know, if you look at what's going on - they better hope that capitalism works, because it's the only thing we have right now. And it's a great thing when it works properly."
18 Real Things Donald Trump Has Said About Women:
18 Real Things Donald Trump Has Said About Women
That giving your wife "negotiable assets" is a terrible mistake. (01 of16)
Open Image ModalThat women are essentially aesthetically-pleasing objects. (02 of16)
Open Image ModalIn his 2006 book Trump 101: The Way to Success, Trump wrote: "Beauty and elegance, whether in a woman, a building, or a work of art, is not just superficial or something pretty to see." (credit:Amazon)
That sexual assault in the military is totally expected. (03 of16)
Open Image ModalBecause what else could possibly happen when you put men and women together?
That women on The Apprentice need to rely on sex appeal. (04 of16)
Open Image Modal"It's certainly not groundbreaking news that the early victories by the women on 'The Apprentice' were, to a very large extent, dependent on their sex appeal."-- How To Get Rich, 2004 (credit:Facebook/The Apprentice)
That bad press doesn't matter as long as you have a sexy girlfriend. (05 of16)
Open Image Modal"You know, it doesn't really matter what [the media] write as long as you've got a young and beautiful piece of ass."-- from an interview with Esquire, 1991 (credit:Getty/AFP)
That pumping breast milk is "disgusting." (06 of16)
Open Image ModalThat all women hate prenups, because they are gold diggers. (07 of16)
Open Image ModalThat women have a "great act" going on to trick men. (08 of16)
Open Image Modal“Women have one of the great acts of all time. The smart ones act very feminine and needy, but inside they are real killers. The person who came up with the expression ‘the weaker sex’ was either very naive or had to be kidding. I have seen women manipulate men with just a twitch of their eye — or perhaps another body part.” -- Trump: The Art of the Comeback, 1997 (credit:Getty)
That Hillary would be a bad president because her husband cheated on her. (09 of16)
Open Image ModalJust... what?
That Angelina Jolie has dated too many guys to be attractive. (10 of16)
Open Image ModalThat Bette Midler's "ugly face and body" are offensive. (11 of16)
Open Image ModalThat the best line in any movie is this beautiful gem. (12 of16)
Open Image Modal“My favorite part [of 'Pulp Fiction'] is when Sam has his gun out in the diner and he tells the guy to tell his girlfriend to shut up. Tell that bitch to be cool. Say: 'Bitch be cool.' I love those lines.” -- TrumpNation: The Art of Being The Donald, 2005 (credit:Amazon)
That a journalist who offended him had an ugly face. (13 of16)
Open Image ModalThat Cher is 'lonely' and 'a loser' because she doesn't support him. (14 of16)
Open Image ModalThat women fawn all over him because he is rich and powerful. (15 of16)
Open Image ModalThat the ladies on 'The Apprentice' are all super in to him. (16 of16)
Open Image Modal"All of the women on 'The Apprentice' flirted with me -- consciously or unconsciously. That's to be expected."-- How To Get Rich, 2004 (credit:Facebook)