In more recent history, from 1870 until 1929, the walls served to literally wall off the pope from the outside world, as popes refused to leave the Vatican due to their denial to recognize the country of Italy. After Pope Francis’s remark Thursday, several people on Twitter, including Trump social media director Dan Scavino, were quick to point out the irony by posting pictures of the walls: The large physical wall around the Vatican is mirrored by the wall of a strict immigration policy.