More of the nation’s Catholic bishops have weighed in after President Donald Trump began denouncing Pope Leo XIV at length on social media, and then posted a now-deleted image of himself as Jesus.
The bishops’ statements have emerged as Trump doubled down on his diatribes – and as Vice President JD Vance delivered a new rebuke 14 April to Pope Leo, whom he said he respects, claiming the pope should “be careful when he talks about matters of theology” in criticizing the US-Israel war in Iran.
In an 13 April statement, Bishop Michael M. Pham of San Diego noted that “throughout history, the papacy has served as a vital voice for peace, justice, and the care of the most vulnerable,” adding that Pope Leo is exercising his ministry at a time when “our world is under tremendous turmoil by leaders who execute decisions disregarding the moral implications that lead to greater division, hatred, and death.”
Archbishop James R. Golka of Denver affirmed in an 13 April statement that “Pope Leo’s role is pastoral, not political,” and said Trump’s language “fails to reflect the respect owed to the Successor of Peter and does not serve the common good.”
In a 13 April statement, the Tennessee Catholic Conference and the state’s bishops said that “it is entirely appropriate that Pope Leo comment from the truth of Jesus’ teaching in the Gospels on life and death matters that affect souls.”
