Pope Delivers Pointed Message Ahead of Lent

Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV encourages his flock to avoid harsh rhetoric and cultivate kindness.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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In a message ahead of the Catholic season of Lent, Pope Leo XIV urged congregants to abstain from hateful rhetoric and instead strive for kindness and respect in their daily lives. The pontiff's comments come amid ongoing tensions with the Trump administration, which he has criticized for its "extremely disrespectful" treatment of immigrants.

Why it matters

The pope's message highlights the growing divide between the Catholic Church and the U.S. government, as the pontiff continues to speak out against the administration's harsh immigration policies and rhetoric. This comes as the Vatican also confirmed the pope will not be traveling to the U.S. this year, further straining relations.

The details

In his Lenten message, Pope Leo XIV encouraged his followers to "disarm our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves." He urged congregants to cultivate "kindness and respect" in all areas of their lives, from family to social media to political debates. The pope's comments follow his ongoing criticism of the Trump administration's treatment of immigrants, including the president's use of "harsh words" and "personal attacks" against others.

  • Pope Leo XIV delivered his Lenten message in early February 2026.
  • The Vatican confirmed the pope will not be traveling to the U.S. this year, though no reason was given.

The players

Pope Leo XIV

The current pope, who was born in Chicago and has been critical of the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Donald Trump

The 79-year-old former president of the United States, who has had an ongoing feud with Pope Leo XIV over his administration's treatment of immigrants.

Cardinal Robert McElroy

The Archbishop of Washington D.C. who concelebrated mass in Rome with Pope Leo last year.

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What they’re saying

“Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves.”

— Pope Leo XIV, Pope

“Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.”

— Pope Leo XIV, Pope

The takeaway

Pope Leo XIV's message of kindness and respect comes at a time of heightened tensions between the Catholic Church and the U.S. government, underscoring the growing divide over issues like immigration. His call for his flock to abstain from harsh rhetoric reflects the pontiff's ongoing efforts to promote a more compassionate approach, even as he continues to face criticism from the Trump administration.