Trump gave Pope Francis a sculpture made by a Florida artist

While visiting the Vatican Wednesday, President Donald Trump, a man who once referred to Pope Francis as “disgraceful,” gave His Holiness a first-edition set of writings from Martin Luther King Jr. and a bronze sculpture created by a Florida artist.

“Rising Above,” by Stuart, Florida, artist Geoffrey C. Smith, portrays a lotus plant, which, according to a White House description, “evokes two universal values: unity and resilience.” 

Trump also gave the pope a piece of granite from MLK’s memorial in Washington, D.C.

In return, the pope gave Trump a peace medallion of an olive tree and three of his teachings, including “Laudato Si,” the 2015 piece on the environment and climate change – something that Trump reportedly said he would read.

Let’s just hope “Laudato Si” mentions Trump’s name every other line.

This article appears in May 24-30, 2017.