Many US 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. However, there is dismay in Catholic ranks over Trump’s verbal assault on Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope. Leo says he is sharing a Gospel message, not directly attacking Trump. Criticism of Trump came from Archbishop Paul Coakley and Bishop Robert Barron, who called Trump’s remarks “entirely inappropriate.” Dismay extended to conservative Christian evangelicals over another issue. Many were appalled by Trump posting an image seeming to depicting him as a Christ-like savior. By midday Monday, the image had been taken down from Truth Social.