By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY, April 2 (Reuters) - Pope Leo last May became the first U.S. leader of the global Catholic Church, but for the initial 10 months of his tenure he mostly avoided comment
Pope Leo Steps Up as First US Pope, Criticizing Trump on Iran and Policy
Pope Leo’s New Approach to US Policy and Global Affairs
By Joshua McElwee
VATICAN CITY, April 2 (Reuters) - Pope Leo last May became the first U.S. leader of the global Catholic Church, but for the initial 10 months of his tenure he mostly avoided comment about his home country and never once mentioned President Donald Trump publicly.
That era has come to an end.
Pope Leo’s Criticism of the Iran War
In recent weeks the pope has emerged as a sharp critic of the Iran war. He named Trump, for the first time publicly, on Tuesday in a direct appeal urging the president to end the expanding conflict.
It is a significant shift in tone and approach that experts said indicated that the pope wanted to serve as a counterweight on the world stage to Trump and his foreign policy aims.
Expert Analysis on Leo’s Shift
"I don't think he wants the Vatican to be accused of being soft on Trumpism because he's an American," said Massimo Faggioli, an Italian academic who follows the Vatican closely.
Leo, known for choosing his words carefully, urged Trump to find an "off-ramp" to end the war, using an American colloquialism the president and administration officials would understand.
"When (Leo) speaks, he's always careful," said Faggioli, a professor at Trinity College Dublin. "I don't think that was an accident."
Support from US Catholic Leaders
Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, a close ally of Leo, told Reuters the pope was taking up the mantle of a long line of pontiffs who have urged world leaders to turn away from war.
"What is different ... is the voice of the messenger, for now Americans and the entire English-speaking world are hearing the message in an idiom familiar to them," said the cardinal.
Pope Says God Rejects Prayers of War Leaders
Two days before appealing to Trump directly, Leo said God rejected the prayers of leaders who start wars and have "hands full of blood", in unusually forceful remarks for a Catholic pontiff.
Reactions to Leo’s Remarks
Those comments were interpreted by conservative Catholic commentators as aimed at U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has invoked Christian language to justify the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that initiated the war.
They also led to one of the Trump administration's first direct responses to a comment by Leo.
"I don't think there is anything wrong with our military leaders or with the president calling on the American people to pray for our service members," White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said, when asked about the pope's remarks.
Peace Movement Perspective
Marie Dennis, a former leader of the international Catholic peace movement Pax Christi, said Leo's most recent comments and his direct appeal to Trump "reflect a heart broken by unrelenting violence.
"He is reaching out to all who are exhausted by this unrelenting violence and are hungry for courageous leadership," she said.
Pope Ramping Up Criticism for Weeks
Leo had previously taken aim at Trump's hardline immigration policies, questioning whether they were in line with the Church's pro-life teachings. In those comments, which drew backlash from conservative Catholics, he refrained from naming Trump or any administration official directly.
Changes in US Catholic Leadership
The pope also carried out a major shake-up of U.S. Catholic leadership in December, removing Cardinal Timothy Dolan as archbishop of New York. Dolan, seen as a leading conservative among the U.S. bishops, was replaced by a relatively unknown cleric from Illinois, Archbishop Ronald Hicks.
Continued Criticism of the Iran War
Leo has been ramping up his criticism of the Iran war for weeks.
He said on March 13 that Christian political leaders who start wars should go to confession and assess whether they are following the teachings of Jesus. On March 23, Leo said military airstrikes were indiscriminate and should be banned.
Global Impact of Pope Leo’s Voice
Cardinal Michael Czerny, a senior Vatican official, said the pope's voice would carry weight globally because "everyone can perceive that he speaks ... for the common good, for all people and especially the vulnerable."
"Pope Leo's moral voice is credible, and the world wants desperately to believe that peace is possible," said the cardinal.
Upcoming Vatican Events and Easter Address
Leo on Thursday began four days of Vatican events leading up to Easter Sunday when he will deliver a special blessing and message from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
One of the most closely watched appointments on the Vatican's calendar, the Easter speech is usually a time when the pope makes a major international appeal.
(Editing by Janet Lawrence)
