ROCK HILL, S.C. — On Friday, Republican presidential candidate front runner Donald Trump seemed to take a step back from his comments earlier, saying he likes the pope and would meet with him at any time.
However, some political experts believe there could still be some fall out for his campaign.
Earlier this week, a reporter in Mexico asked Pope Francis about the idea of building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, the pope said it was not Christian.
Trump then fired back, saying his faith was attacked and calling the pontiff's comments, disgraceful.
Winthrop University political scientist John Holder said Catholics are not a large voting block in South Carolina, but down the road, there could be damage to Trump.
"Adding to the things that he's said over time that have not just offended, but outraged one group or another, if you put all those things together and put all those people together, eventually, he's going to run out of support," Holder said.
On Friday, The Catholic Diocese of Charlotte released a statement, which says in part, “Regarding the Holy Father's statement about the immigration wall that has been proposed by Mr. Trump. A core principle of Christianity is the idea of welcoming the stranger."
Diocese spokesman David Hains said he doesn't think the pope was singling Trump out, making the candidates comments even more upsetting.
"It’s very disappointing that the pope, the Holy Father, a man who is beloved throughout the entire world, that his character is called into question at any time," Hains said.
Holder said as the campaign goes on, the flap with the pope may keep the spotlight on Trump's faith and where he stands on religion.
"It’s going to continue to raise questions, and I think that could hurt him," Holder said.
There are signs that turn out for Republican voters could be huge Saturday. Absentee ballots are in, and turnout is up in York, Chester and Lancaster counties, above the 2012 presidential primary.
On GOP side, election officials in York County say absentee votes were double the 2012 numbers, at 2,023.
Cox Media Group
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