Has President Donald J. Trump met his match in Pope Leo XIV? He has made a living out of picking fights with well-known folks from a variety of occupations. There is the sparring he has done with politicians and elected officials, such as Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada, Governor Gavin Newsom of California, and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Then there are the titans of the entertainment world whom the president disdains, such as Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and Robert De Niro. And let’s not forget some of Trump’s favorite adversaries, those pesky media types like Heather Cox Richardson, Don Lemon, and Jim Acosta. But in his match against the Pope, the president may have bitten off more than he can chew. For not only is the pontiff a holy man, but also the spiritual leader of millions of people worldwide.
How Did This Fight Start with the Pope?”
Let’s trace the origins of Trump’s ruckus with the Pope. On April 7, after Trump threatened to wipe out “the whole civilization” in Iran if they did not open up the Strait of Hormuz, Pope Leo responded with this. “I would invite citizens of all the countries involved to contact the authorities, political leaders, congressman to ask them to work for peace and to reject war always.”
Shortly after, he followed up with these comments. “I welcome with satisfaction − and as a sign of living hope − the announcement of an immediate two-week truce. Only by returning to negotiations can the war come to an end. The delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive. Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life.”
Well, after all of this, the president was beside himself and could no longer stay silent.
After the Pope’s remarks, Trump posted this on his social media site Truth Social on Sunday night. “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy. He talks about ‘fear’ of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart,” Trump wrote. “I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!”
To which the pontiff replied, “I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do,” he said. “I do not look at my role as being political, a politician. I don’t want to get into a debate with him. I don’t think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing.”
Trump Swimming Against the Tide in Pope Feud
Donald Trump takes on the Pope at a very disadvantageous time for his administration. The president’s war with Iran shows no end in sight, which is keeping oil prices high. The cost of everything has risen, especially for food and household essentials. And the president’s once-benchmark issue, immigration, has become a negative after ICE-related deaths in Minneapolis.
And the tide of religion in the U.S. and around the world has again swung to the side of Pope Leo and the Catholic Church. From Philadelphia to Des Moines, to Houston, and Los Angeles, people are joining the Catholic Church in record numbers.
A range of reasons were given for these conversions, including the quest for social and political stability, young people feeling disenfranchised, and reactions to overwhelming technological change. Among the most fervent group finding the church are those between the ages of 18 to 35.
One More Thing: Who is the Pope’s Brother?
And lastly, who is Pope Leo’s brother Louis, and why does the president sing his praises? Lou Prevost, the Pope’s oldest brother, has a friendly relationship with Trump. Prevost has repeatedly lauded the president online, particularly regarding his feelings about the trans community and the Democratic Party. He even posted a video in which he made a very crude reference to Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
Brother aside, with Trump’s sinking popularity and Pope Leo’s and the Catholic Church’s Ascension, my money is completely on the pontiff in this one-sided war of words.
