After President Trump Posted an image The outrage was immediate, portraying himself as a modern-day Jesus Christ with images of soldiers and fighter jets, the Statute of Independence and the American flag in the background on his Truth Social account. Catholic podcaster Isabelle Brown said It was “obvious, despicable and unacceptable”. Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey described the image as “Deeply offensive.”
Trump removed the post, embarrassing told reporters He believed the post portrayed himself as a doctor healing a bedridden patient. But that scandalous post wasn’t his first. As the papal conclave met last May to choose a successor to Pope Francis, Trump posted a photo of himself wearing the papal robes, prompting the New York State Conference of Catholics to Give feedback: “There is nothing clever or funny about this image. Don’t make fun of us.”
From then on, things got worse. Pope Leo told reporters that Trump threatened Iran “that the whole civilization will die tonight”.Actually unacceptable.” He also instructed Catholics to contact members of Congress saying“We want peace, not war.”
As time went on, the Pope’s statements became more and more frequent.
In his Palm Sunday sermon, Leo quoted the book of Isaiah as saying that God “does not hear the prayers of those who fight,” quoting the prophet Isaiah, who wrote, “Though you pray much, I will not listen—your hands are full of blood.”
Later, Leo posted“The Prince of Peace is a disciple of Christ, who will never side with those who wield the sword and drop the bomb today.”
An April 11 peace vigil, was taken emphatic: “Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of the war!”
Trump responded angrily, Attacking the Pope “Weak on offense” and “terrible on foreign policy,” concluding that “Leo needs to get his act together as pope, use common sense, stop catering to the radical left, and focus on being a great pope, not a politician.”
the lion replied that he had “no fear, neither of the Trump administration nor of the gospel message being spoken out loud. … I don’t think the gospel message is being misused the way some people have. A lot of people have been killed, and somebody has to stand up.”
Catholic leaders jumped to the Pope’s defense. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said He was “disappointed that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father” and explained Leo’s actual duties.
“Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the pope a politician. He is the vicar of Christ who speaks for the truth of the Gospel and the care of souls.”
Bishop Robert Barron, a vocal Trump defender and member of his Religious Freedom Commission; said Trump’s attacks were “completely inappropriate and disrespectful” and called for Trump to apologize.
In his long scar Against the Pope, Trump claimed he won the 2024 election “in a landslide.” Exit polls show Trump strong 20-point The margin of victory between Catholics over Kamala Harris. But Trump seems to mistakenly believe that Catholics will stick with him, no matter what he says or does.
Catholics are swing voters. In 2020, Joe Biden The Catholic vote won52 percent to Trump’s 47 percent. A A recent survey For the first time this year, many Catholics have found themselves disapproving of Trump’s work performance. And 60 percent of Catholics disapprove of his handling of the Iran war, with 55 percent believing it is not going well.
Today, the Catholic vote is up for grabs. Catholics are all affected by high gasoline prices, inflation and the Iran war. Trump’s difficulties are compounded mass exodus of Hispanics from his coalition, due to indiscriminate mass deportations, with a failure to reduce costs.
With prominent Catholic leaders speaking out so strongly against the Iran war and defending the Pope, the level of cognitive dissonance among Catholics is rising. In a Sermon at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, Robert McElroy Said about the Iran War“We must answer with voice and unity: No. Not in our name. Not at this moment. Not with our country.”
Trump continues To compound their problems with Catholic voters. And there is no sign that he has abandoned his attacks on the pope or is acting to shore up his political support with this important group.
John Kenneth White is an emeritus professor at the Catholic University of America. His latest book is titled “Grand Old Unraveling: The Republican Party, Donald Trump, and the Rise of the Right.” He is also in Substack.
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