Takeaways From the Trump vs. Pope Leo Debacle

EDITORIAL: If, God willing, this surreal episode is coming to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on some of the lessons we can learn from it.

President Donald Trump speaks to the press outside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on April 13. (photo: Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images)

The Editors Editorial April 17, 2026  National Catholic Register

Could we be nearing a cessation of hostilities in one of the world’s most senseless conflicts? Let’s hope so.

We’re speaking of the fierce criticism President Donald Trump has leveled this past week against Pope Leo XIV, which has stunned and deeply offended many of the president’s Catholic supporters.

In a series of diatribes — coupled with a sacrilegious AI-generated image, which Trump posted on social media and later took down, depicting himself dressed like Jesus — the president repeatedly accused the American-born Pontiff of liberal politicking, chafing at his vocal opposition to the U.S.-led war with Iran and the Trump administration’s aggressive mass deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally.

s Pope Leo named one of Time magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People of 2026’

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Pope Leo named one of Time magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People of 2026’

by Gina Christian - OSV News April 17, 202

Pope Leo XIV smiles as he greets visitors and pilgrims from the popemobile while riding around St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican before his weekly general audience April 8, 2026. Credit: CNS photo/Lola Gomez

(OSV News) — Time magazine has named Pope Leo XIV to its “100 Most Influential People of 2026” list.

The accolade was announced April 15, with the first U.S.-born pope joining a diverse group of individuals — some famous, some lesser known — distinguished by their contributions as leaders, innovators, icons, artists and pioneers.

The list, well into its third decade, has “no single metric that defines influence,” stated Time editor in chief Sam Jacobs in his overview of the list.

Far from Rome, Pope Leo's missionary instincts take center stage

 

Far from Rome, Pope Leo's missionary instincts take center stage

Vatican

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  Justin McLellan

Pope Leo says he is 'not trying to debate' Trump, refocuses Africa trip on peace

Vatican News

Vatican

Pope Leo says he is 'not trying to debate' Trump, refocuses Africa trip on peace

Justin McLellan

 

WHEN GOD DOES NOT STAND ON THE SIDE OF ANY ARMY

 

WHEN GOD DOES NOT STAND ON THE SIDE OF ANY ARMY

Leo may help break a trend that has dominated American Catholicism — less religion as national glue, more faith as a critique of power. Leo’s message dismantles the moral grammar of war: he does not merely say that war is evil but calls into question the cognitive and spiritual premises that make it possible.  READ MORE...

What would Jesus do? Trump and Vance claim to know more about it than the pope.

By Yvonne Abraham Globe Columnist,Updated April 18, 2026, 1 hour ago

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Pope Leo XIV arrived to celebrate Mass in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday.Andrew Medichini/Associated Press

Is the pope Catholic?

Apparently, that’s an actual question now, thanks to our vice president, who, like the president and the rest of his lickspittles, has a problem with Leo XIV calling for an end to war, cruelty, and violence.

The pontiff has really been cooking in recent weeks, urging us to “abandon every desire for conflict, domination and power,” which are “entirely foreign to the way of Jesus Christ.” On Palm Sunday, he warned against invoking Jesus to justify war, and quoted Isaiah, in which God says, “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.” On Thursday, he spoke of “a handful of tyrants” who are ravaging the earth.

Can Catholic ethics help shape a better internet?

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Can Catholic ethics help shape a better internet?

Nathaniel Hunter  US CATHOLIC

 

Pope Leo at year one: The progress of an American pope

by Colleen Dulle, M. Cathleen Kaveny, Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A., Anna Rowlands and Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator April 16, 202

Pope Leo XIV blesses the faithful with holy water at the beginning of Pentecost Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on June 8, 2025. Credit: CNS photo/Lola Gomez.

After Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8, 2025, many prognosticators and colleagues predicted a quiet beginning to his pontificate. The former Robert Prevost, several said, “takes his time and listens before speaking or taking concrete action.” World events and the desires of so many—Catholic and not—for the pope’s commentary or considerations might have forever eliminated the possibility of a quiet first year for any pontiff. But as we approach the one-year anniversary of his election, we can see the outlines of a papacy that combines quiet and measured deliberation with a clear and prophetic voice on many issues of the day, ecclesial and not.