Pope Meets with Obama Strategist Amid Controversy Over Trump Imagery

Closed-door meeting between Pope Leo and David Axelrod raises questions about political motivations.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:09pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a Catholic church in a warm, urban setting, with a faint outline of two figures meeting in the foreground, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and political intrigue.The closed-door meeting between Pope Leo and a prominent Democratic strategist raises questions about the Vatican's political motivations.Chicago Today

A recent closed-door meeting between Pope Leo, the first American Pope, and Democratic strategist David Axelrod, who was a top advisor to former President Barack Obama, has sparked controversy and speculation about the political motivations behind the Vatican's actions. This comes amid a growing backlash from some conservative Catholics over a controversial image shared by former President Donald Trump that they claim is blasphemous.

Why it matters

The meeting between the Pope and a prominent Democratic political strategist is highly unusual and raises questions about whether the Vatican is aligning itself with a particular political agenda. Additionally, the strong reaction from some Catholics to the Trump image suggests deeper divisions and tensions within the church.

The details

Pope Leo, who is from Chicago, met with David Axelrod, Obama's former right-hand man, in a closed-door session. This is the first time a Pope has been known to meet with a political strategist in this manner. Meanwhile, some conservative Catholics, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, have condemned a recent image shared by former President Trump that they claim depicts an "Antichrist spirit." However, others have pointed out that the image is not actually depicting Jesus and that healing imagery is not exclusive to Christianity.

  • The meeting between Pope Leo and David Axelrod took place in April 2026.
  • Former President Trump shared the controversial image in early 2026.

The players

Pope Leo

The first American Pope, who is from Chicago.

David Axelrod

A Democratic strategist who was a top advisor to former President Barack Obama.

Marjorie Taylor Greene

A conservative U.S. Representative who has condemned the Trump image as blasphemous.

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What they’re saying

“It's more than blasphemy. It's an Antichrist spirit.”

— Marjorie Taylor Greene, U.S. Representative

What’s next

The Vatican has not yet commented on the meeting between Pope Leo and David Axelrod, and it remains to be seen how the church will respond to the growing controversy over the Trump image.

The takeaway

The meeting between the Pope and a prominent Democratic strategist, combined with the backlash from some Catholics over the Trump image, suggests deeper political divisions and tensions within the Catholic Church that could have significant implications going forward.