Many US Catholics are dismayed by Trump's unprecedented broadside at the first American pope

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 7:53 PM EDT, April 13, 2026


WASHINGTON (AP) — A majority of U.S. Catholic voters supported Donald Trump in his 2024 presidential victory. Yet across the broad Catholic political spectrum – even among conservative-leaning bishops – there is dismay over Trump’s unprecedented verbal assault on Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead their church.

Leo says he is sharing a Gospel message and not directly attacking Trump or anyone else with his appeals for peace and criticism of attitudes fueling the war. Criticism of Trump came from Archbishop Paul Coakley, head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and from Minnesota-based Bishop Robert Barron, who only a few days ago was applauding Trump as an Easter guest at the White House. Barron called the president’s remarks “entirely inappropriate and disrespectful” and urged him to apologize.

The dismay extended into an even more solid base of Trump support — conservative Christian evangelicals. Many were appalled that Trump followed his Truth Social attack on Leo by posting an image depicting himself as a Christ-like savior. “TAKE THIS DOWN, MR. PRESIDENT,” posted David Brody, a prominent Trump-supporting commentator with the Christian Broadcasting Network. “You’re not God. None of us are. This goes too far. It crosses the line.”

By midday Monday, the image had been taken down from Truth Social. And speaking at the White House, the president claimed that he never intended to liken himself to Jesus when he posted the picture. “How did they come up with that?” he asked. “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better. And I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-donald-trump-us-catholic-evangelicals-0174639c0ec378d90e0a91321fbe3f2c

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These 45-voting Catholics didn't give a shit about the fact that he didn't care about their religion and its core beliefs, only their politicization of it for a single issue.

[johnnyfins]

1. If they had to vote again tomorrow, they would

Vote for TSF.

I'm quite sure all of these "Catholics", think that the current Pope is too liberal or woke.

The funny thing is, he is just a Jesus follower. Why is that so bad?

[thomski64]

2. If you voted for this insufferable asshole..

..you are an accessory before and after the fact for everything he says and does. Fuck you very much...

[RVN VET71]

5. Because Jesus was so woke, is why. Also a Jew.

I am always amazed to see this stuff. My few Catholic friends dislike the Orange Colostomy Bag for the exact same reasons Christ would have. Yet so many Catholics are dumb assed narrow-minded bigots, I guess, that they make up the majority.

But I have to ask, because I don't know where to look for it, is it male Catholics who support the Fascist Shitbag? Or male and female in roughly equal proportionate numbers? I'm hoping enough Catholic women are at least aware of the crushing war he and his incredibly nasty, ignorant minions are waging against women to choose sanity and decency over MAGA.

(Yes, I used to be a Catholic -- but very nominally. And the older I got and the more I learned, leaving completely was the only rational thing for me to do.)

[DFW]

3. I'll buy the "dismayed" part

I do NOT accept “surprised.” If any American Catholics are surprised at his behavior, they ought to complete a high school civics course before being allowed to vote again.

[OC375]

4. Deceivers deceive.

Now, what will you do with your knowledge?

Time to act… Like…

Like an Act of Contrition?

But, stressing the act part. You need to actually do something.

[William Seger]

6. "How did they come up with that?"

"Beats me how they came up with that!"

[Martin68]

7. But he's against abortion! Nothing else matters!

[Icanthinkformyself]

8. Well, of course Catholics are 'dismayed'.

The Convicted Felon has now negatively affected them. He's only supposed to harm 'those others', not conservatives, like Catholics.

[BlueWavePsych]

9. K&R

[EarthFirst]

10. Pedophilia, incestuous sexualization, lust, rape, adultery, coventry, gluttony

…and we’re just now finding a level of disgust and betrayal?

I’m not convinced that their dismay is worthy of taking note.

They’d cast a fourth ballot is possible in a New York minute…

[BigmanPigman]

11. Every Atheist I have known was raised in the Catholic faith.

No surprises here! If they actually were NOT 100% hypocrites for the past few thousand years than perhaps I could attempt to view their agenda. As it is, FUCK OFF!

Religion and politics....fools and their money.

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