The president and the pope: Trump will regret his words

On April 12, Trump took his social media platform to level this blast at the first American pope:

“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy. He talks about ‘fear’ of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart.”

Trump said he liked the pope’s brother Louis, who has supported him. He then attacked Leo for expressing his opposition to the war in Iran — imagine, a pope who is against war! — and accused him of supporting Iranian nuclear ambitions.

Pope Leo, like many of his predecessors in the Holy See, is strongly anti-war. He follows the guidance of the Prince of Peace, not the Masters of War.

“Enough of the idolatry of self and money!” Leo said on April 11. “Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”

Trump, whose administration often has used religious terms in its war with Iran, took offense at that.

In his remarks about the pope, he added comments about his invasion of Venezuela, drugs, killers on the loose and his disdain for Leo not supporting him politically, claiming credit for his election in 2025.

Trump also said he was elected “IN A LANDSLIDE,” when the fact is, he never broke 50 percent of the popular vote in all three of his elections.

“Leo should 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,” he posted. “It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”

The reaction was, as you would expect, surprise and anger that the president would attack the pope. Trump typically refused to budge.

On April 13, he said he had no intention of apologizing to the pope.

“He was very much against what I’m doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran. Pope Leo would not be happy with the end result,” Trump said.

“I think he’s very weak on crime and other things …”

“Weak on crime?” Is this a congressional campaign? What next, accusing Leo of not being tough enough on immigration and the border? Assailing him over high grocery prices?

Pope Leo, a smiling, soft-spoken man who is showing his tough Chicago roots, said he stands by his words and beliefs.

“I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do,” the pope told reporters April 13 on his way to Algiers, part of an 11-day trip across Africa. Leo is trying to stay on track despite this very public battle.

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed his support for the pope and disappointment with Trump.

“I am disheartened that the president chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father,” Coakley said. “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.”

Pope Leo also speaks for 1.4 billion Catholics across the globe, and 53 million Americans. They have a loud voice in our culture — and our politics.

Trump, who was a Presbyterian but considers himself a “non-denominational Christian,” won the Catholic vote by 7 points over Hillary Clinton, a Methodist, in 2016.

Trump lost the Catholic vote 52-47 percent to Joe Biden, a Catholic, in 2020, but swept to victory by a landslide margin of 59-39 percent against Kamala Harris, a Baptist, in 2024.

American Catholics have been moving to the right in recent years. Younger priests are leading the way, with more traditional services and conservative social and cultural values coming to the fore.

It seems like a poor time to pick a fight — and keep it going — with their leader.

Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism less than seven years ago, somehow thinks he can offer spiritual guidance to Pope Leo, who earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Villanova University in 1977, a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in 1982, and a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in 1987.

“I think it’s very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology,” Vance said at a Turning Point USA rally.

That’s so astounding that it is difficult to imagine anyone saying it, but Vance decided to add to this tremendous error in judgment by his boss. The vice president should choose his words wisely and know when he should bow to superior knowledge and wisdom.

We won’t place a bet on that occurring. Trump and Vance seek out and relish battles, even with a pope.

Trump has proven over the decades, and especially in the last decade, that he feels free to attack, insult and belittle anyone who displeases him. He has targeted other politicians, entertainers, athletes and a wide variety of people, often to the delight and cheers of his supporters.

In May 2025, he posted an image of himself dressed as a pope. On Sunday, April 12, he posted an image of himself as Jesus Christ, although he feebly tried to deny that and later deleted it, adding an image of Jesus embracing him.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/13/trump-jesus-truth-social-pope-leo.html

These sacrilegious images were outrageous and unacceptable, but hardly surprising from this president.

But this time, Trump has crossed a line that has repulsed many of his most ardent believers. As his poll numbers continue to plummet, he would be wise to end this war of words with the Holy Father.

Not that I expect him to do so. Trump has a reputation of never apologizing, never backing down, never admitting a mistake. This time, he may well regret his words.

Fourth-generation South Dakotan Tom Lawrence has written for several newspapers and websites in South Dakota and other states for four decades. He has contributed to The New York Times, NPR, The London Telegraph, The Daily Beast and other media outlets. Do not republish without permission.

Photo: public domain, wikimedia commons

The South Dakota Standard is offered freely and is supported by our readers. We have no political or commercial sponsorship. If you'd like to help us continue our mission to advance independent political and social commentary, you can do so by clicking on the "Donate" button that's on the sidebar to your right.

Follow us and comment on X and Blues