A public rift between former President Donald Trump and Pope Leo is causing significant political fallout, with conservative Catholic allies increasingly breaking ranks over the conflict.
Trump's recent social media attack on the first American pope as "too liberal" and "weak on crime," combined with his sharing of an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Christ-like figure, has sparked unusual criticism from traditionally loyal supporters. The controversy comes amid broader tensions over the ongoing war in Iran, which has become a moral flashpoint for many American Catholics.
Bishop Joseph Strickland, once a staunch Trump supporter who participated in prayer events at Mar-a-Lago and spoke at CPAC, has made a rare break from the administration. "I do not believe this conflict meets the criteria of a just war," Strickland told the BBC. "I stand with the Holy Father and his call for peace. This is not about politics. It's about moral truth."
Strickland emphasized the scale of civilian suffering in the conflict, stating that "using religion to justify especially dropping bombs is contradicting what the faith is about." When asked about Trump's criticism of Pope Leo, the bishop referenced the Gospel of Matthew, noting that "when world leaders forget this truth, all are in peril."
This shift represents a significant political risk for Trump, who increased his support among Catholic voters in the 2024 election. According to Pew Research Center data, 62% of White Catholics voted for Trump compared to 37% for Kamala Harris, though Hispanic Catholics showed stronger support for Harris at 58% versus 41% for Trump.
Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut and a prominent voice of the Catholic right, has also become critical despite previously defending Trump's immigration policies. "President Trump does not understand how Catholicism works," Wolfgang said. "The Pope is not merely a head of state, he is the Vicar of Christ. Attacks on him are received as attacks on the Church itself."
Wolfgang noted that his faith led him to challenge Catholic bishops who criticized Trump's immigration policies, but the same principles now compel opposition to the war. "When President Trump is out there talking about ending Iranian civilization, or Secretary Hegseth is making some bloodthirsty prayer that is unrecognizable to Catholics, then it's completely natural for conservative Catholics to line up behind Pope Leo," he explained.
The controversy highlights rare unity among American Catholics across political lines regarding the Iran conflict, despite deep divisions on issues like abortion and immigration. Pope Leo enjoys high support from both Democratic and Republican Catholics, unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, who was more popular among Catholic Democrats.
This emerging conservative Catholic backlash represents a notable development in Trump's political landscape, with religious allies increasingly willing to prioritize moral concerns over political loyalty as the public feud with the Vatican continues to escalate.