Pope Leo Is America’s Most Powerful Man. That’s Why Trump Can’t Stand Him
Summary
President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV following a 60 Minutes interview with American cardinals supporting the pope’s stance against U.S. policies on Iran and immigration. Trump’s attacks highlight a political tension with the pope, who remains highly popular among Americans, especially compared to the president’s decreasing support among Catholic voters.Key Facts
- President Trump reacted angrily after seeing American cardinals praise Pope Leo XIV’s moral leadership on U.S. Iran war and immigration policies.
- Trump posted multiple attacks on the pope on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling him weak on crime and foreign policy.
- An AI-generated image of Trump as Christ healing someone was posted and then quickly removed after criticism from evangelical leaders.
- The posts criticizing the pope remain visible on Trump’s social media, showing a lack of influence from Catholic supporters in his coalition.
- Polls show Pope Leo XIV is the most popular American public figure, with a net favorability of +34, while President Trump’s rating is -12.
- Trump’s approval rating among U.S. Catholics dropped from +20 points in 2024 to -4 points one year into his second term.
- Pope Leo leads a global institution with 1.4 billion followers and a sovereign state status, putting him in a unique position beyond presidential power.
- The president can’t control or remove the pope, contributing to the public clashes and Trump's visible frustration.
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