American Catholics upset over Trump's conflict with the pope

(Patria) - A war of words between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo has angered some American Catholics, who say the US president went too far in his criticism of the pope, AFP reports in its report.

Trump clashed with Leo over everything from Iran to immigration, and recently dismissed him as "weak" in an unprecedented personal attack on the pope by a US leader.

Leo, who was born in Chicago, said he had a moral duty to speak out against war.

"For an ignoramus like Trump to try to question the theological view of an ordained priest is utterly ridiculous," said Jim Supp (88) for AFP outside a church in New York on Friday.

Supp was particularly angered by Trump's recent posting of an AI-generated image that seemingly depicts him as a Christ-like figure, which was later deleted.

"There are certain things in life that you don't joke about," said the retired classics professor.

For John O'Brien (68), a former advertising director, sharing the image was akin to "blasphemy for Christians."

The pope, for his part, warned of the dangers of AI misuse after Trump's post - without directly mentioning it.

Don't mess with him

Traditionally, US presidents have been cautious not to upset American Catholics too much by speaking out against the pope. But Trump has not taken such caution, despite winning the 2024 election with the support of a majority of Catholic voters.

The war in the Middle East proved to be a key point, with Leo condemning the president's threat to attack Iranian civilization as "unacceptable." Trump retaliated by calling the pope "WEAK on crime and terrible on foreign policy."

The public feud marks a potential vulnerability for Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections, even among more conservative Catholics.

Anthony Clark, a political associate from an anti-abortion group, told AFP outside a Catholic basilica in Washington that he sees Trump as a "very good president" with good intentions.

"But I think intentions aren't everything and I think he can sometimes be reckless in what he says or the way he approaches particularly controversial topics," added the twenty-something.

Popes usually do not meddle in politics. However, the pope's defiance has earned him respect from some.

"I'm really glad that Pope Leo stood his ground when he said he's not afraid of the administration," said twenty-two-year-old Carolina Herrera in Washington.
"You shouldn't mess with the pope, no matter what, don't mess with him," she said.

Very harsh

Trump is not known as religious. The thrice-married real estate agent and former TV star was raised in a Presbyterian culture and rarely attended religious services. But since entering politics, he has embraced the Christian right.

Christian conservatives praised Trump for helping achieve their priority - ending the national right to abortion, thanks to the judges Trump appointed to the Supreme Court.

At a church in Houston, Texas, a Republican stronghold, some attendees at the noon mass blamed both the president and the pope.

"I don't think either of them is behaving the way they should," said Ann, a white woman in her seventies who did not want to share her last name.

"I think (the pope) was very harsh towards America," she added.

Meanwhile, Trump's most loyal supporters rallied behind the president as they waited to see him speak at an event organized by the right-wing Christian group Turning Point USA at a Protestant megachurch in Arizona.

"I think the pope should stay in his lane and I disagree with his accusations," Brenda Gifford told AFP, adding: "I no longer respect him."
Armando Azpeitia, another Trump follower, had a more nuanced view of the tensions with the pope, even if he still sided with the president.

"I understand how one can disagree with some things Trump says, but overall I still think (Trump) has the best interests of the American people at heart," he said.