politics
Trump Criticizes Pope Leo XIV on Iran Policy; Catholic Leaders Respond
Several Catholic figures, including bishops and organization heads, have criticized President Donald Trump's recent comments about Pope Leo XIV. The responses follow Trump's statements on the pope's positions regarding Iran and other issues. Vice President JD Vance and other officials also addressed the ongoing feud.
Apr 17, 9:58 AM·3m read1 source
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Trump's Remarks @ABC reported that Patrick Kelly, head of the Knights of Columbus, issued a statement on Wednesday stating that many Catholics and other people of goodwill have been deeply disappointed by the disparaging comments directed at Pope Leo XIV by the President of the United States.
Kelly stated that the Successor of Saint Peter is not a politician but the Vicar of Christ, entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding souls. He noted that Pope Leo XIV has consistently called for peace, dialogue, and restraint in a world marked by war and suffering. U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Doctrine, stated on Wednesday that when Pope Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology, he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the Vicar of Christ.
Robert Barron, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, called Trump's comments about Pope Leo XIV entirely inappropriate and disrespectful in an X post on Monday. Barron attended an Easter lunch hosted by the president at the White House.
@ABC reported that President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday that I have a right to disagree with the pope.
Trump posted on social media on Tuesday that the pontiff needed to be informed that Iran had killed tens of thousands of protesters and that it was absolutely unacceptable for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. On Wednesday, Trump shared an image of him being embraced by Jesus in front of an American flag.
@ABC reported that President Donald Trump shared a post from a user on X showing old posts from an X account that belonged to Cardinal Robert Prevost before he was pope, including some criticizing Trump and Vance.
The shared post stated that before he became Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost was on Twitter trashing Trump, criticizing Vance, calling for open borders, promoting COVID vaccines, endorsing stricter gun control, and tweeting after George Floyd.
