Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV spars with Trump
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Pope Leo XIV addresses the faithful gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the Regina Caeli on April 12 in Vatican City. Photo: Elisabetta Trevisan/Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images
Pope Leo XIV says he's not a politician, but the Chicago-born leader of the Catholic Church has made it clear over the last year that he disagrees with President Trump's policies.
Why it matters: Chicago has repeatedly been in the crosshairs of President Trump's criticism — from clashes with local leaders to immigration fights — and now the South Side-born pope is a target.
Between the lines: Leo, who oversees about 1.4 billion followers worldwide, wields immense power with the faithful.
- His continued criticism of the president could test Trump-supporting Catholics.
The latest: Trump attacked Leo as "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy" and "catering to the Radical Left," insults he's also thrown at Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson.
What they're saying: Chicago church leaders are jumping in to defend Leo. "As President Trump decides to attack Pope Leo XIV, join me in prayer for the Pope and all who are unjustly attacked," St. Clement's Rev. Peter Wojcik posted to his 118,000 Instagram followers.
- "May his voice of healing, peace and values of the Gospel not only be heard by more people but also change more hearts."
- Chicago Archbishop Cardinal Blase Cupich told "60 Minutes" on Sunday that Trump is gamifying war. "It is sickening to splice together movie cuts with actual bombing and targeting of people for the purposes of entertainment. This is not who we are. We're better than this."
The other side: "I do not look at my role as being political. I don't want to get into a debate with him," Leo told reporters Monday. "I will continue to speak up for love against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions."
Zoom in: The international conflict is not the first time Leo has spoken out against Trump. Both the pope and Cupich have been vocal in their criticism of Trump's aggressive deportation campaign.
- Leo supported local clergy who wanted to minister to immigrants who were being held in an immigration facility in Broadview.
- "Families are being torn apart. Children are left in fear, and communities are shaken by immigration raids and detentions. These actions wound the soul of our city. Let me be clear: The Church stands with migrants," Cupich said during the height of Operation Midway Blitz.
Zoom out: Catholics' support for Trump has dipped since the 2024 election, according to a bipartisan poll reported by the National Catholic Register, with 52% polled saying they disapprove of the president, and 60% against his actions during the war in Iran.
- In 2024, Trump won Catholic voters by a 12-point advantage over Kamala Harris, according to the Pew Research Center.
Reality check: While Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Cupich differ from some conservative political movements in the U.S., they still adhere to core Catholic teachings on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage.