US President Donald Trump's post about Pope Leo happened to come just hours before Pope Leo got on a plane to take him to Africa. And it is customary on the papal plane -- where most of the passengers are journalists -- for the Holy Father to speak about world events. Naturally, all this was top of the list on today's flight.
While the United States slowly awoke to the news (though the US bishops' president made a statement in response, also in the early hours of the morning EST), voices from Europe had already reacted to both the Leo remarks and the image of Trump as Jesus, and statements continued throughout the day.
Perhaps the most surprising came from Iran's president:
One came from what is now the Pope's diocese, Rome. The cardinal-vicar for the Diocese made a statement of support (our translation):
Drawing on the sentiments of the people of God present in the Diocese of Rome, I echo them in expressing solidarity and reaffirming my full support for our Bishop, Pope Leo XIV, in the face of disconcerting attacks on his teaching of peace. The Gospel of the Beatitudes is the essence of the Church's mission, and no one and nothing, deluded by the illusory reverberation of arrogance, can hinder this proclamation.
As did the mayor of Rome (again, our translation):
Rome stands by Pope Leo. Donald Trump’s attacks on his spiritual leadership and his commitment to peace are unacceptable and wound people’s sensibilities and consciences. The city of Rome, which has a unique bond with its Bishop, firmly reaffirms the values of respect, dialogue, and peace.
An Italian senator, Matteo Renzi, calling on laypeople to respond, offered a post that said in part (our translation):
Defending Leo XIV is now a duty not only for Catholics but also, and above all, for lay people. It has been centuries since we have seen such a blatant attack on the Roman Pontiff. Who is, after all, a ‘bridge-builder,’ unlike Trump, the destroyer of relationships and civilisations. The only advantage: Trumps come and go, popes remain.
A Spanish political leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, seemed to respond to both the image of Trump as Jesus and his comments on Leo (our translation):
Christianity serves as an ethical and moral beacon for millions of people around the world, and it does not deserve to be treated as a joke.
And Pope Leo XIV is a figure of authority for Catholics who must be listened to and respected. We Spaniards will do just that next June, when we will have the honour of welcoming him on a historic visit.
Later, the prime minister of Spain also spoke about the "honor" of welcoming Leo in June:
"He who sows winds, reaps tempests." [Ed: a version of "you reap what you sow"]. While some sow the world with wars, Leo XIV sows peace, with bravery and courage. It will be an honor to receive him in Spain in a few weeks.
Global Church voices
Others came from religious orders, for example the Dominicans:
"The brothers and sisters of the Order of Preachers renew our unwavering commitment to the cause of peace. In a world torn by conflict and division, the Order will continue to labor for reconciliation led by Pope Leo XIV and to advance dialogue guided by the light of truth and the Gospel. Let us never tire of proclaiming the peace of the Risen Christ together."
- fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III
Master of the Order of Preachers
The Church's youngest cardinal, who is Ukrainian but serves in Australia as Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne, quoted the Pope's response to Trump as well as line from the global prayer vigil the Pope led on Saturday:
Pope Leo XIV: “I Am Not Afraid of the Trump Administration, I speak the Gospel, Not Politics”; I say to world leaders: “Enough of wars!”
and the cardinal added, "Pope Leo XIV is a true Apostle of the Gospel and the peace of Christ."
From England, the bishop of Southwark offered clarification on why popes and bishops speak to political events, saying in part:
“As bishops, we are not politicians, nor statesmen, nor do we pretend to have all the answers. But as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we know that each of us is called to be a beacon of His peace. We know that in the face of war, where so many innocent lives will be lost, we must be clear that God demands peace."
Pope proclaiming peace in Africa
Besides the Pope's response on the plane, neither he nor the Vatican has said anything further, and Pope Leo was fully engaged in the first day of his Algeria trip, the first stop of four countries, and 10 days.
