Trump's feud with Pope Leo XIV risks Catholic voters

The big picture: Trump's clash with Leo had been building, but it exploded over Holy Week with profanity-laced threats.

• A week later, Trump called the pope "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy."
• Minutes later, Trump posted an AI image depicting himself in biblical robes healing the sick. The post was swiftly labeled "blasphemy" online.
• He deleted it Monday and claimed it depicted him "as a doctor."

Yes, but: Trump doubled down Sunday, saying: "I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo. He's a very liberal person."

• Outside the Oval Office on Monday, Trump refused to apologize: "There's nothing to apologize for. He's wrong."

Zoom in: Asked about the president's attack, Leo told reporters he had "no fear" of the American administration.

• Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he was "disheartened" by the president writing "such disparaging words about the Holy Father."
• The president's post sparked a notable outcry from MAGA-world Christians.

Zoom out: Trump's comments escalate already high tensions between the president and the first U.S.-born pope, who has increasingly spoken out on the administration's immigration policies and the Iran war.

• Trump has repeatedly risked aggravating the Christian voter base that helped put him back into the White House.
• Catholics make up about 1 in 5 voters nationally, per exit polls.
• The New Orleans archdiocese didn't respond to a request for comment about how it is navigating this moment.

Go deeper

• Christians condemn Trump post depicting him as Jesus-like figure
• Iran war tips Trump-Pope tension over the edge
• Trump unleashes tirade against "weak," "terrible" Pope Leo