The Vatican Wall – Trump Highlights Barrier

Currents News Staff

During President Trump’s first cabinet meeting of 2019 on Wednesday, he further demanded funds to build the wall separating the United States and Mexico.

And, he also mentioned this wall behind me, which separates the Holy See from Italy saying: “You got to do something about the Vatican, because the Vatican has the biggest wall of them all.”

It is true, the 110-acre sovereign state is surrounded by a 39-foot-tall wall, originally built by Pope Leo IV in the ninth century to keep out Saracen Muslim raiders. Then, it remained as other outsiders threatened to take some of the precious art and treasures contained within the walls over the centuries.

Yet, there are some areas allowing outsiders to enter into the smallest country on Earth. Both St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums are available for pilgrims to enter, only blocked by metal detectors.

Parts of St Peter’s Square, those belonging to the Vatican, are complete freely accessible for anyone to enter. They are only blocked off by a short, metal railing, deciphering Vatican property from Italian property. Yet, in order to enter the established Vatican walls, blocked off and guarded by the Swiss Guards, visitors must show a form of identification. They also must explain the purpose of their visit, many times needing an official letter from the Vatican allowing access. At the same time, it’s also no secret that Pope Francis has criticized this desire of President Donald Trump, even before he was elected.

“However, a person who only thinks about building walls, wherever they may be, and does not focus on building bridges is not a Christian. This is not the Gospel,” said Francis back in 2016.

Yet, Trump is repeatedly demanding the $5 billion he says he needs to build this wall, separating the two countries on the American continent, continuing the government shutdown the United States is currently facing.

However, as for the Vatican walls, with their rich historical significance and being an ancient symbol of papal power, it does not seem as though they will be torn down any time soon.

Episode 32 – “The Presence of Grace”

Fr. Robert Lauder has a deep connection to the arts including film, stage and literature. THE CATHOLIC NOVEL is a lecture series that will focus on some of his favorite novels where Catholicism is treated favorably. This 32nd episode will feature J.F. Power’s, THE PRESENCE OF GRACE!

Episode 31 – “Morte D’Urban”

Fr. Robert Lauder has a deep connection to the arts including film, stage and literature. THE CATHOLIC NOVEL is a lecture series that will focus on some of his favorite novels where Catholicism is treated favorably. This 31st episode will feature J.F. Power’s, MORTE D’URBAN!

Episode 30 – “The Green Years”

Fr. Robert Lauder has a deep connection to the arts including film, stage and literature. THE CATHOLIC NOVEL is a lecture series that will focus on some of his favorite novels where Catholicism is treated favorably. This 29th episode will feature A.J. Cronin’s, THE GREEN YEARS!

Episode 29 – “The Keys of the Kingdom”

Fr. Robert Lauder has a deep connection to the arts including film, stage and literature. THE CATHOLIC NOVEL is a lecture series that will focus on some of his favorite novels where Catholicism is treated favorably. This 29th episode will feature A.J. Cronin’s, THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM!

Episode 28 – “Catholics: A Novel”

Fr. Robert Lauder has a deep connection to the arts including film, stage and literature. THE CATHOLIC NOVEL is a lecture series that will focus on some of his favorite novels where Catholicism is treated favorably. This 28th episode will feature Brian Moore’s, CATHOLICS: A NOVEL!

Episode 27 – “The Death of a Pope”

Fr. Robert Lauder has a deep connection to the arts including film, stage and literature. THE CATHOLIC NOVEL is a lecture series that will focus on some of his favorite novels where Catholicism is treated favorably. This 27th episode will feature Muriel Spark’s, THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE!

Episode 26 – “The Death of a Pope”

Fr. Robert Lauder has a deep connection to the arts including film, stage and literature. THE CATHOLIC NOVEL is a lecture series that will focus on some of his favorite novels where Catholicism is treated favorably. This 26th episode will feature Piers Paul Read’s, THE DEATH OF A POPE!

Episode 25 – “Monk Dawson”

Fr. Robert Lauder has a deep connection to the arts including film, stage and literature. THE CATHOLIC NOVEL is a lecture series that will focus on some of his favorite novels where Catholicism is treated favorably. This 25th episode will feature Piers Paul Read’s, MONK DAWSON!

Episode 24 – “The World, the Flesh, and Father Smith”

Fr. Robert Lauder has a deep connection to the arts including film, stage and literature. THE CATHOLIC NOVEL is a lecture series that will focus on some of his favorite novels where Catholicism is treated favorably. This 24th episode will feature Bruce Marshall’s, THE WORLD, THE FLESH & FATHER SMITH!