1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I’m writing this message because the recent remarks by Donald Trump, verbally attacking Pope Leo XIV, are completely unacceptable. In Trump’s own words within his full tirade, he said: “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for foreign policy…I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE to do…” This is not leadership. It’s petty, disrespectful, and beneath the office Trump once held and again in this second term. You don’t have to be religious to recognize that publicly insulting a major global religious leader crosses a line. It reflects poorly on our country and fuels unnecessary division. Let’s be honest about what’s really going on: this feud appears driven by the Pope’s criticism of U.S. foreign policy, including actions related to Iran. Disagreement is one thing, but lashing out like this is another. When political leaders respond to criticism with personal attacks, it undermines credibility and makes the U.S. look unserious on the world stage. This also risks alienating millions of Catholic Americans who deserve respect, regardless of politics. No one in a position of power should be targeting religious figures this way—period. I expect you, as an elected official, to call this out clearly. Silence only normalizes this behavior. We need leaders who are willing to set a basic standard: respect, restraint, and accountability. Do your job and speak up.