April 13, 2026

Many U.S. Catholics are dismayed by Trump's unprecedented broadside at the first American pope

A majority of U.S. Catholic voters supported Donald Trump in his 2024 presidential victory. Yet across the broad Catholic political spectrum - even among conservative-leaning bishops - there is dismay over Trump's unprecedented verbal assault on the Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead their church.

Many U.S. Catholics are dismayed by Trump's unprecedented broadside at the first American pope

TL;DR

  • A majority of U.S. Catholic voters backed Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
  • Trump launched an unprecedented verbal assault on Pope Leo XIV.
  • Dismay over Trump's comments exists across the Catholic political spectrum.
  • This includes conservative-leaning bishops.
  • Pope Leo XIV is the first American to lead the Catholic Church.