Pope Francis discusses current issues on flight to Rome

(AGI) Vatican City, Feb 18 - Pope Francis tackled a host of current issues while on his flight back to Rome from Central America, discussing everything from his visit there and historic meeting with Russian Patriarch Kirill to Donald Trump, contraceptives, and the same-sex marriage debate in Italy's parliament. "I don't know how things stand in parliament: the Pope doesn't meddle in Italian politics," he said in response to a question. "I told bishops, the Pope is there for everyone and can't get involved in politics," he affirmed, citing his first speech to the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) in May 2013. Each MP "must vote according to their own learned conscience, which isn't the same as choosing what seems best at that moment in time," Pope Francis added. His Holiness then turned his attention to U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, lambasting his promise to erect a wall on the border with Mexico as un-Christian. "Wanting to build walls instead of bridges is not Christian. This isn't in the Gospel. I don't get mixed up in electoral problems, but if that's what he said - and I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt on this - then it isn't Christian," he affirmed. Pope Francis then discussed a potential visit to China. "Going to China is my dream. I would love that," he confessed to the journalists on board. He also revealed that he prayed to the Virgin Mary during his 20 minutes of silence at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe last Saturday. "I asked for world peace, forgiveness for the masses, that priests truly act as priests, and for bishops and the faithful to be genuine," he said. Regarding his meeting with Patriarch Kirill, Pope Francis remained discrete. "He's my brother. We talked as brothers and nobody knows what we said to each other, because it was a private meeting and if I revealed anything it wouldn't be so any more. But I can tell you that I left happy." Turning to the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Pope was asked why it's easier to forgive a murderer than a divorcee who remarries. "We must integrate divorced people within the Church with particular attention towards their children," he stated. On abortion, Pope Francis said: "It's not a lesser evil but a crime. A lesser evil would be avoiding pregnancy." His Holiness concluded the interview by strongly condemning bishops who covered up instances of paedophilia: "A bishop who transfers a priest to a different parish is reckless and irresponsible and must resign. Is that clear?" Finally, regarding recent questions on the nature of Pope John Paul II's bond with his close friend Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka, Francis offered reassurances. "Even the Pope needs a friendship with a woman; the female point of view enriches a man's. Friendship with a woman isn't a sin." (AGI). .