LGBTQ Catholic organizations have expressed strong disapproval of President Donald Trump's recent criticisms of Pope Leo XIV.
In a bold statement on April 13, while traveling to Algeria, Pope Leo declared to reporters that he harbors "no fear of the Trump administration." This came in response to President Trump's portrayal of the pope as "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy," particularly due to Leo's opposition to the Iran war. On the same day, Trump caused a stir by posting an image on Truth Social that seemed to depict himself as Jesus Christ, which he later removed following widespread criticism from religious leaders.
Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, commented during a Fox News Channel interview on the incident, suggesting that "in some cases, it would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality, to stick to matters of what's going on with the Catholic church, and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy." Vance reiterated his stance on April 14 at a Turning Point USA event in Athens, Georgia, cautioning Pope Leo to "be careful when he talks about matters of theology."
Among those who have criticized Trump's remarks are Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Miguel Díaz, and Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Despite the backlash, President Trump has stated that he will not apologize to Pope Leo.
Pope Leo, speaking at a cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, emphasized, "The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants."
Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, a Maryland-based LGBTQ Catholic organization, described Trump's comments about Pope Leo as "yet another example of the absurd hubris of this leader (Trump) whose entire record shows that he is nothing more than a middle-school bully."
"LGBTQ+ adults were often bullied as children, and they have learned the lesson that bullies act when they feel frightened or threatened," DeBernardo explained. "However, secular power does not intimidate the Vicar of Christ, and Pope Leo's response underscores this truth perfectly."
DeBernardo added, "Trump is clearly intimidated by Pope Leo, an American, who possesses more power and influence than the president on the global stage."
"As with most of Trump's bullying tactics, this strategy will ultimately fail," DeBernardo told reporters. "Moral truth and compassion always triumph over ignorant hate. Trump's actions are not a demonstration of his strength, but rather his impotence."
Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA, another LGBTQ Catholic organization, echoed DeBernardo's sentiments.
"Throughout both presidencies, he [Trump] has shown he doesn't grasp the fundamental concepts of any faith system that is rooted in the dignity of human beings and the importance of the common good," Duddy-Burke commented. "It's just appalling."
Duddy-Burke praised Pope Leo and the American cardinals who have openly criticized Trump.
"The pope's popularity — given how much more respect Pope Leo has than the man sitting in the White House — is a blow to his ego," Duddy-Burke stated. "That seems to be a sore spot for him."
"It's such an imperialistic worldview," she added.
H2: Pope Leo XIV: A New Era of Peace
The College of Cardinals elected Pope Leo XIV in May of last year, succeeding Pope Francis after his passing.
Pope Leo, who hails from Chicago, is the first American to lead the Catholic Church. Prior to his election, he served as the bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru from 2015 to 2023.
Pope Francis elevated him to the rank of cardinal in 2023.
Juan Carlos Cruz, a gay Chilean man and a survivor of clergy sexual abuse, whom Pope Francis appointed to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, has traveled to Ukraine several times with Dominican Sister Lucía Caram since the outbreak of the Russian invasion in 2022. Cruz, currently in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, responded to Trump's criticism of Pope Leo via a text message.
"I am in Ukraine under many attacks," Cruz said. "Trump is an asshole and has zero right to criticize the Pope, who is the real peacemaker."
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