Lambasting Pope Leo, Trump risks rare feud with the Catholic Church

Democracy Dies in DarknessVeteran church observers say an open war of words between a pope and a U.S. president is unprecedented.April 13, 2026 at 10:36 a.m. EDT21 minutes agoFollowing President Donald Trump’s rambling attack Sunday on Truth Social, Pope Leo XIV on Monday said had “no fear of the Trump administration.” (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters) and ROME — After white smoke in the rafters of the Sistine Chapel signaled the rise of a new pope last May, President Donald Trump heralded the first U.S.-born leader of the Catholic Church by declaring the choice “a Great Honor for our Country.”