Donald Trump backed off his fight with Pope Francis late Thursday, saying the pontiff's remarks about Trump's immigration stance were "misinterpreted" by the media.
"I think he was very much misinterpreted and I think he was given false information," Trump said Thursday night at a town hall hosted by CNN.
Anderson Cooper, who moderated the event, asked about the flap and the presidential candidate quickly backed away from the public disagreement, saying he doesn't like fighting with the pope.
.@realDonaldTrump: "I don’t like fighting with the Pope. ... I don’t think it’s a fight.” #GOPTownHall https://t.co/UAT68U8ZXU— CNN (@CNN) February 19, 2016
Earlier in the day, Pope Francis said anyone who wants to build a wall to keep out immigrants is "not Christian." The Pope's comments specifically referred to Trump's campaign promise to build a wall between the United States and Mexico.
The Pope "has a lot of energy," says Trump. "I think he was very much misinterpreted."— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) February 19, 2016
Trump released a scathing statement saying it was "disgraceful" for the Pope to question his faith.
But at the town hall Thursday night, Trump said after reading what the Pope said, he is no longer mad at the comment.
"After I read it, it was a little bit softer," Trump said.