Catholic leaders were sharp in their response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo in his April 12 Truth Social rant. Leo himself responded when asked by journalists on his flight to Algeria, first stop of his Africa trip: “I think that the people who read will be able to draw their own conclusions: I am not a politician, I have no intention of entering into a debate with him [Trump]. Rather, let us always seek peace and put an end to wars. I am not afraid of the Trump administration. I speak about the Gospel, I am not a politician. I do not think the message of the Gospel should be abused in the way some people are doing. I will continue to speak out loudly against war, to try to promote peace, multilateral dialogue between states in order to seek the right solution to problems. The message of the Church is the message of the Gospel, blessed are the peacemakers; I do not see my role as that of a politician, I do not want to enter into a debate with him. Too many people are suffering in the world.”
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a brief response: “I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father. Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls.”
