U.S. Catholics React to President's Comments on First American Pope

S. Catholic voters supported the president in the 2024 presidential election.

The pope is on an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa, which began on April 13, 2026, in Algiers. During this trip, the pope met with the Algerian community in the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa. The pope stated that he is sharing a Gospel message and not directly attacking the president or anyone else with his appeals for peace and criticism of attitudes fueling the war.

Criticism from Church Leaders Criticism of the president came from Archbishop Paul Coakley, head of the U.S.

Conference of Catholic Bishops. Minnesota-based Bishop Robert Barron, who recently applauded the president as an Easter guest at the White House, called the president's remarks entirely inappropriate and disrespectful and urged an apology.

The dismay extended to conservative Christian evangelicals, a base of support for the president. Many were appalled that the president followed his attack on the pope by posting an image depicting himself as a Christ-like savior on Truth Social.

"There is a deep reservoir of appreciation for the president and his faith-based policies that transcends and eclipses any disagreement over a social media post."

“— Ralph Reed, president's faith advisory board, April 13, 2026 (Associated Press)”

S. presidents have had policy differences with popes. Experts on the Vatican and religious history recalled no exchange comparable to the back-and-forth between the president and the pope over the pope's condemnation of America's role in the Iran war.

S. president. Campbell added that there have been signs that many lay Catholics have stood by the president in recent weeks and have been critical of bishops who critique him. If the attack on the pope does not shift that dynamic markedly, it will be a watershed moment with American Catholics choosing a president over their pope, according to Campbell.

Looking back into world history, attempts to strong-arm a pope are not new, said Kathleen Sprows Cummings, a professor of American Studies and History at Notre Dame. Emperors, monarchs, and despots have long threatened popes to force them to bend to their will, she stated via email.

The New York Times reported that unlike his predecessor, Pope Leo XIV enjoys growing support from a broad swath of conservative Catholics.