I think he scored double points. His first rebuke of the pope scored big win his followers and may have kept some from leaving the fold for Cruz. Then he takes advantage of the Christian penchant to forgive when since that time he walks back his statement and appears to embrace the pope. Score twice. He managed to act aggressively and still come out on top with one of the worlds top religious figures. His voters really could care less about what the pope does or says. And most Christians in the south think Catholics dont need a pope to have a relationship with God. The angry white working class isn't worried about stepping on the popes toes and ruffling his robes a little.

If Trump wins South Carolina by any significant margin over Cruz or Rubio......and I think those two are closer than the polls show.......Trump will be hard to stop. He can say anything he wants.