New Jersey Governor Chris Christie thinks Philadelphia's most prominent guest is incorrect when it comes to the United States' relationship with Cuba, the Republican presidential candidate said Sunday.
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Speaking with CNN's Jake Tapper, Christie reinforced his position that the U.S. should not have opened up diplomatic ties with Cuba because of the country "harboring fugitives."
Christie, a Catholic, also said that Pope Francis, who arrived in Cuba Saturday as a part of a trip that will conclude in the U.S. with a much-anticipated stop in Philadelphia, was wrong for trying to strengthen the connection between the two countries. Per CNN:
"I just think the Pope is wrong," the New Jersey governor and Republican presidential candidate said Sunday in an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union."
"The fact is that his infallibility is on religious matters, not on political ones," Christie said.
On Sunday, President Obama announced a plan to try and ease the economic embargo on Cuba after calling President Raul Castro. However, that embargo can only be lifted by Congress, which is controlled by Republicans who are unlikely to do so.
Christie, who has repeatedly criticized the Obama administration for trying to open up the long silence between the two nations, is not the only local politician to break with the head of the Catholic Church on political issues.
Former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania Rick Santorum, also a Catholic and presidential candidate, has openly challenged the pope's position on climate change.