Minnesota Bishop Robert Barron, a member of Trump’s Religious Freedom Commission who has faced criticism in the past for his association with the Trump administration, broke his silence on President Donald Trump’s attack on Pope Leo XIV, saying the statements were inappropriate and offensive. Trump criticized the first US Pope in a lengthy Truth Social post on Monday, accusing him of being “weak on crime” and “terrible at foreign policy”. He said he “does not want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States.” Trump said, “Leo should do his job as Pope, use common sense, stop pandering to the radical left and focus on being a great Pope, not a politician.”Following his tirade, Trump posted an illustration in which he appeared to look like Jesus healing a sick man. Pope Leo responded to the Truth Social outburst and said he has no fear of the Trump administration. “I have no intention of arguing with him,” Leo said.The US Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed dismay at Trump’s attack. The organization’s president is Archbishop Paul S. “I am disappointed that the President decided to write such derogatory words about the Holy Father,” Coakley said in a statement on social media. “Pope Leo is not his opponent; nor is the Pope a politician. He is a vicar of Christ who speaks for the truth of the gospel and for the care of souls.“Bishop Barron is considered MAGA-friendly. He was recently criticized for not objecting to a comment during a recent White House Easter luncheon event when televangelist Paula White-Cain compared Trump to Jesus Christ. Paula told the president that, like Jesus Christ, he was ‘betrayed and arrested and falsely accused’ and ‘because of his resurrection, you stood up.’ Trump standing behind him smiled and thanked him. Bishop Barron was present at this event and his silence was questioned. “It is the Pope’s prerogative to articulate the principles governing Catholic doctrine and moral life. With respect to the concrete application of those principles, people of good will can and do disagree. I would warmly recommend that serious Catholics within the Trump administration – Secretary Rubio, Vice President Vance, Ambassador Brian Burch and others – meet with Vatican officials so that a genuine dialogue can take place.” This is much better than statements made on social media,” Bishop Barron wrote Monday. Bishop Barron said, “I am deeply grateful for the many ways in which the Trump Administration has reached out to Catholics and other people of faith. It is a high honor to serve on the Religious Freedom Commission. No president in my lifetime has shown such dedication to protecting our first freedom. All that said, I think the President should apologize to the Pope.”
