On Sunday, President Donald Trump posted an unprecedented attack on Pope Leo XIV on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling the Holy Father “WEAK on crime” and captive to the “Radical Left.” When asked about the diatribe the next day, Pope Leo said he had “no fear” of the Trump administration and would continue to boldly proclaim the Gospel of peace.

In a special America Media roundtable conversation, Sam Sawyer, editor in chief of America magazine, Ashley McKinless, co-host of the “Jesuitical” podcast, and Colleen Dulle, co-host of “Inside the Vatican,” react to Trump’s criticism of the Holy Father and provide context for the growing chasm between the White House and the Vatican.

00:00 President Trump's words for Pope Leo
1:20 Pope Leo's criticism of war
2:40 Pope Leo's response to Trump
4:50 U.S. Bishops respond to Trump
5:47 Reactions to Trump's tirade
7:30 Did Trump influence Leo's election?
10:25 Don't take the President's bait
14:05 Impact on U.S.-Vatican relations

Links:
Trump is trying to distract us from Pope Leo’s calls for peace. Don’t take the bait: https://www.americamagazine.org/many-things/2026/04/13/trump-pope-leo-truth-social
Trump lambasts Pope Leo: ‘I’m not a fan.’: https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/04/12/trump-pope-leo-iran
Pope Leo says he has ‘no fear’ of Trump or preaching the Gospel: https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/04/13/pope-leo-responds-to-trump-blessed-are-the-peacemakers
After Trump’s Leo rant, JD Vance says Vatican should ‘stick to matters of morality’: https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/04/14/trump-backlash-pope-leo-rant-offensive-image-looking-christ

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