President Trump's intensifying clash with Pope Leo XIV is setting up a politically risky fight with Catholic voters as the 2026 cycle begins.

Why it matters: Catholics are the most electorally powerful swing religious bloc in America.

• New Orleans is the second-oldest archdiocese in the country, and Pope Leo has roots here.

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 yesterday 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 yesterday, 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.

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The Atlantic hurricane season is expected to have "somewhat below-normal" activity, with 13 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes, according to a prominent forecast group.

Why it matters: That would make this season similar to last year's — which saw 13 named storms and five hurricanes — and it could be even quieter, with fewer major hurricanes expected.

Zoom in: Researchers from Colorado State University say the return of El Niño will be the dominant factor for the forthcoming season.

• El Niño occurs when water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual. A catalyst for global weather shifts, it drives high-altitude winds over the Atlantic that can hinder hurricane formation.
• The climate pattern is expected to develop in the next few months.

Yes, but: We're not out of the woods yet. Forecasters made similar predictions in 2023 based on El Niño conditions, but the season defied expectations with above-normal activity.

Flashback: Last year, the Colorado State forecast predicted above-normal activity that did not materialize.

What's next: National Hurricane Center starts issuing its daily tropical outlook month — a nod to the recent trend of earlier storm formation.

• Hurricane season officially starts June 1.

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🏨 The Monarch, a 34-room boutique hotel, is set to open tomorrow on St. Charles Avenue near Common Street. (Hotel Dive)

🍕 Oak Oven is closing in Harahan after 12 years. The restaurant's last day is Saturday. (Instagram)

🐟 The koi fish are back and bigger than ever. Artist Jeremy Novy created a massive street installation on Rampart and Elysian Fields. (Instagram)

• He painted his first koi in New Orleans in 2013.

👗 Old Navy has a designer collab with Baton Rouge native Christopher John Rogers. The line drops tomorrow. (Instagram)

📺 American Horror Story is bringing back Coven, the popular season that was based in New Orleans. It's unclear if the new season will be set or filmed in town. (Out)

🗳️ Tomorrow is the deadline to register to vote in person or by mail in the U.S. Senate race. New state rules require that you're a registered Republican or Democrat to vote in their primaries. (Axios)

• Taxes are also due tomorrow.

🏝️ Spring break ended early for about 50 ULL folks who were evicted from a Miramar Beach rental home amid complaints about noise and underage drinking. (X)

Congrats to Rummel, Chapelle and DeRidder high schools, whose students marched in the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in D.C. over the weekend.