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Archdiocese of Las Vegas criticizes Trump's remarks about Pope Leo
The Catholic Archdiocese says the president's 'sophomoric rhetoric' about the pontiff is hurting the church.
Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:53pm
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In a time of political division, the Catholic Church seeks to be a beacon of spiritual reflection and diplomatic reconciliation.Las Vegas TodayThe Catholic Archdiocese of Las Vegas has chastised President Donald Trump for his Sunday remarks criticizing Pope Leo XIV, in which Trump called the pope 'weak on crime and foreign policy' and suggested he wouldn't be the pontiff if Trump hadn't been elected. The archdiocese said Pope Leo is 'calling for dialogue over diatribe, prayer over politics, and diplomacy above destruction', and that he will be 'unfazed by the President's ad hominem attacks and sophomoric rhetoric'.
Why it matters
This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church, particularly over issues of foreign policy and the role of religion in politics. The archdiocese's strong rebuke of the president's comments underscores the church's desire to maintain its independence and moral authority, even in the face of criticism from a powerful political figure.
The details
In a statement, Archbishop George Leo Thomas said Pope Leo XIV has condemned war and the use of religious language to wage it, and that the pope 'does not want to get into a debate' with Trump. The president had criticized the pope for his positions on Iran and Venezuela, saying 'I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon' and 'I don't want a Pope who thinks it's terrible that America attacked Venezuela'. Trump also suggested the pope was elected to deal with the American president, saying 'If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican'.
- On Sunday, April 13, 2026, President Trump made the remarks criticizing Pope Leo XIV.
- On Monday, April 14, 2026, Pope Leo XIV responded to Trump's comments, saying he does not want to get into a debate with the president and will continue to 'speak out loudly against war'.
The players
Pope Leo XIV
The current Pope of the Catholic Church, born Robert Francis Prevost, who is the first American to be elected pope. He has condemned war and the use of religious language to wage it.
President Donald Trump
The former President of the United States who made critical remarks about Pope Leo XIV on social media, calling him 'weak on crime and foreign policy' and suggesting he wouldn't be pope if Trump hadn't been elected.
Archbishop George Leo Thomas
The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Las Vegas who issued a statement chastising President Trump's 'sophomoric rhetoric' about Pope Leo XIV.
What they’re saying
“'Pope Leo is calling for dialogue over diatribe, prayer over politics, and diplomacy above destruction. We know that he will be unfazed by the President's ad hominem attacks and sophomoric rhetoric.'”
— Archbishop George Leo Thomas, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Las Vegas
“'I do not look at my role as being political … a politician. I don't want to get into a debate with him. I don't think that the message of the gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing and I will continue to speak out loudly against war.'”
— Pope Leo XIV
The takeaway
This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church, particularly over issues of foreign policy and the role of religion in politics. The archdiocese's strong rebuke of the president's comments underscores the church's desire to maintain its independence and moral authority, even in the face of criticism from a powerful political figure.
