Trump, Vatican tone down rhetoric over immigration comments

Donald Trump hassoftenedhis rhetoric on Pope Francis after blasting the leader of the Catholic Church for suggesting the billionaire businessman's plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border made him "not Christian."

Trump said during a South Carolinatown hall event Thursday nighton CNN that he now believes the pope's remarks were "probably a little bit nicer" than first reported.

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Trump says he believes the pope has only heard one side of the story, as told by the Mexican government, and isn't aware of the problems Trump claims are caused by a porous border.

Trump also says he has great respect for Pope Francis. Still, he couldn't help but offer a dig, noting that, "He's got an awfully big wall at the Vatican."

On Friday, Vatican spokespersonFather FedericoLombardi saidFrancis's suggestionthatTrump was "not Christian" because of his views onimmigration was not a personal attack.

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"In no way was this a personal attack, nor an indication ofhow to vote," Lombardi said.