Border czar says he wishes Pope would stay out of immigration despite Catholicisms long history of missions
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Sen. John Kennedy Criticizes Trump’s ‘Holy War’ With Pope Leo
Is Trump's feud with Pope Leo XIV a reckless political blunder or a justified pushback against Vatican overreach?
Above: U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) addressed reporters during a vote at the U.S. Capitol Building on April 13. Image credit: Heather Diehl/Staff/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Pope Leo has been anything but neutral — he condemned American military action while staying silent as Iran murdered tens of thousands of its own citizens. The Vatican inserted itself into geopolitics and then acted surprised when the president pushed back. Even Vance noted that the pope's remarks created a media-driven narrative that wasn't fully accurate, and Leo himself later acknowledged the coverage had distorted what he actually said.
Anti-Trump narrative
Trump's attacks on Pope Leo XIV are an embarrassment that even loyal Republicans can't stomach. Calling the pope 'WEAK on Crime' and posting an AI image of himself as Jesus crossed lines that conservative Catholics found offensive and inexplicable. The president manufactured a fight with a moral authority who simply called for peace, and that kind of reckless behavior is costing him real political support among Catholic voters.
Public Figures
The Controversies
Go Deeper
Establishment split
CRITICAL
PRO
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0