Trump's Criticism of Pope Draws No Response from Tulsa Diocese

Archbishop Coakley expresses disappointment over former president's disparaging words about the pontiff.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:50am

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A serene, dimly lit interior of a Catholic church, with a single wooden pew in the foreground and warm, dramatic lighting streaming through the windows, conveying a sense of contemplation and the weight of political tensions.The Catholic Church navigates a complex relationship with political leaders, as seen in the former president's critical words about the Pope.Oklahoma City Today

Former President Donald Trump recently made critical comments about Pope Francis, but the Tulsa diocese has not issued any official response. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, who serves as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed disappointment over Trump's choice of "disparaging words about the Holy Father."

Why it matters

The relationship between the Catholic Church and political leaders is often complex, with both sides needing to navigate sensitive issues. Trump's criticism of the Pope is seen by some as a continuation of his confrontational approach to religious institutions and leaders who do not align with his political views.

The details

Details about the specific nature of Trump's criticism of the Pope or the context around his comments were not provided in the original report. The article focuses more on the reaction from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the lack of an official response from the Tulsa diocese.

  • The comments from Trump were made recently, prior to April 14, 2026.

The players

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley

The Archbishop of Oklahoma City and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who made critical comments about Pope Francis.

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What they’re saying

“I was disheartened that Trump chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father.”

— Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, President, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tension between some political leaders and the Catholic Church, particularly when it comes to issues where their views may diverge. The lack of an official response from the Tulsa diocese suggests they may be trying to avoid further inflaming the situation.