Chronicling Trump's Online Feud with Pope Leo
Trump posts that the Pope is "weak on crime" and his Pentagon invokes the Avignon Papacy
In a bizarre turn of events, the President of the United States has begun a feud with the first American Pope.
The Pentagon begins by meeting with The Vatican in early April for talks that quickly become tense. The Pentagon, from here, brings up the topic of the Avignon Papacy, a 14th century schism in the Catholic Church where France leveraged military force against the Pope’s authority.
Many in the Vatican see this reference as “a threat to use military force against the Holy See [the governing body of the Catholic Church led by the Pope].” Pope Leo cancels his plans to visit the United States.
He later posts tweets proclaiming peace and calling for an end to war, which does not sit well with the Trump Administration.
Speaking of, where is Trump in all this? Posting an AI picture of himself as Jesus Christ on TruthSocial, of course.
Though many in the administration attempt to brush the story off, Trump later states that yes, he did post the image himself, although he thought he was a “doctor” in it, not Jesus Christ. He blames the “fake news,” and the public is again told to not believe our eyes and ears.
He then goes on a rant so long that I still haven’t read it in full (I don’t even want to) and throws a TruthSocial tantrum, lamenting that the Pope is “weak on crime.”
The MAGA base is divided. For some, this is the last straw. For others, it has to be fake, because President Trump would never do that, right? The denial kicks in and some people proclaim him the Antichrist. Others have short-circuited completely.
Trump continues to attack Pope Leo up to the time of writing, and refuses to apologize in multiple posts and interviews.
The proud few are left clinging to Trump’s side, and the bulk of them are in the administration.
JD Vance, an adult Catholic convert, says the Pope should keep out of politics and “be careful” when talking about theology.
Mike Johnson, an Evangelical, says the Pope doesn’t understand doctrine.
Pete Hegseth is interestingly quiet for a few days, despite his crusader tattoos, until he quotes a fake Bible verse from Pulp Fiction at a prayer service.
Pope Leo says he “isn’t afraid” of any warmongering administrations and will continue to keep promoting peace.
He met with leaders in Algeria and Cameroon this week, participating in interfaith dialogues and condemning war in any sense.
The U.S. bishops Committee on Doctrine comes out in defense of Pope Leo’s stance on war hours after JD Vance told the Pope to “be careful” when discussing theology.
The Pope continues to tweet, condemning those who use violence in the name of God.
And again, where is Trump in all of this? Posting an AI photo of himself with Jesus.
This is a developing story.