The Story The Pope v Trump
Apr 15, 2026
Christopher Hale, Democratic operative who tracks Catholic politics, and Kaya Burgess, Vatican and religion reporter, dissect the Pope–Trump spat. They explore Trump’s AI Jesus image and its fallout. They trace the transatlantic row over Iran and the Pope’s peace-focused sermons. They map Catholic political resistance and how religious imagery affects US Christian voters.
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American Pope With A History Of Political Interventions
- Pope Leo is the first American pope and has a history of occasional political interventions as Cardinal Robert Provost.
- He previously rebuked J.D. Vance on prioritizing family over strangers, showing early willingness to enter political debates.
Pope Framed The Iran Conflict As A Moral Issue
- Pope Leo used Palm Sunday and Easter sermons to denounce war and specifically urged dialogue over domination.
- He said Jesus "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war," directly challenging pro-war rhetoric from leaders.
60 Minutes Segment Sparked The White House Response
- Christopher Hale described a 60 Minutes segment where three cardinals publicly criticized Trump on ICE, deportations and the Iran war.
- Trump watched it on Air Force One and reacted angrily, triggering subsequent escalation.