Archbishop of Mobile Mark S. Rivituso responded Monday to a Truth Social post from President Donald Trump calling Pope Leo XIV weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote. “He talks about ‘fear’ of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart. I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!”
Trump continued saying, “Leo should get his act together as Pope.”
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) president Paul S. Coakley released a statement, saying, “I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father. Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls.”
Rivituso concurred.
“I echo the statement issued today by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and join my brother bishops in affirming the Holy Father’s role as a spiritual leader who speaks from the Gospel and for the care of souls,” Rivituso stated. “I encourage all the faithful to be one with the Holy Father in praying for and witnessing to the Gospel of Christ’s peace and care for all peoples. I ask for all to pray for our president and all in public office to work for a greater peace and justice in our world.”
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