These unfounded attacks on Pope Leo are both vicious and downright wicked.
I am an American Protestant clergyman and Church historian, and I stand solidly with Pope Leo. His is the prophetic voice of righteousness and integrity, so needed right now. No wonder he upsets MAGA commentators, Trumpists, and the wilfully ignorant among so-called "Christian" Nationalists.
Isn’t it ironic that these people criticizing the Pope are supposed to be “Christians and specifically Catholic. The lessons that I learned growing up were, Catholic was peace, love your neighbor as yourself, do not kill, no lying against anyone etc. I think these self righteous people missed a few Catechism classes.
Love this: “Because in a world on fire, the man in white is still the one pointing toward the water.”
If I had to take a side and in times like these there really are no sidelines, I would side with Pope Leo. His consistent calls for peace and justice form the cornerstone of Christianity. Ignorance and hate no matter who spews it or how it’s packaged lead to a certain joyless, lifeless, maze of myopic and ruinous hopelessness. No thank you. We can do better.
Marxism seems to be their all-purpose insult when someone doesn’t agree with what they think. You are correct as well about the extent to which they worship their own beliefs. The Pope is not a Marxist. It is his job to call for peace as a religious leader. It is his job to help create the presence of justice.
Nicely stated: "Marxism seems to be their all-purpose insult...." My own family members have used this! However, Bishop Barron (a popular reich wing pundit featured on many podcasts) criticized AOC's comments about Marco Rubio's statement at the Munich Security Conference, by saying HER statements were straight out of the "Marxist Playbook." https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SZE3hiPlrHA I am drafting a memo to the Bishop Barron, my Bishop, Pastor and the USCCB as a lay apostolate and I encourage all of Christopher's readers to do likewise. We don't want another Father Charles Coughlin to twist the message of love spoken by Jesus into hate and fear using the authority of the church!
It comes as no surprise that MAGA loyalists would speak so disparagingly about Pope Leo. Leo has finally invigorated the US bishops to come out of hiding in fear of Trump's reprisals and speak to what is right and just. MAGA stands for lying, deceit, subterfuge, immorality, and the spreading of falsehoods. Pope Leo stands for all that is right, and could not be a better leader of the Catholic Church.
Thank you, Christopher...I appreciate your including the obviously inhumane, beyond disrespectful, and - it would seem- anti-Christian " MAGA" reactions - since I, and i presume, many others, are not tuned in to them. Thank you for lifting up catholic social justice teaching. No justice, no peace. And thanks for reminding us of Pope John XXlll's papacy, 'Pacem in Terris', and the Second Vatican Council, and how revolutionary that was, and still is for many. Your insight regarding 'authority' and the burden of practitioners dealing with finding themselves in disagreement with The Pope is insightful. I find it fascinating that those who would bow and scrape without question to other popes, will scrap fiercely with Leo xiv, and with Francis - because they challenge the formalized polarized vision of right and wrong, and emphasize the inclusion of all Peoples, and the basic rights and belonging of everyone. The religion of John and Francis and Leo is not a formal convenient righteous judgmental and exclusive Catholicism, but an active, often inconvenient, real, humane, dynamic and evolving Church. May peace prevail.
I wonder - are these Maga-Catholics actually rejecting Pope Leo as the head of the Catholic Church - to whom they owe obedience? If so then does that mean they are in schism from the Church and no longer part of the body of Christ? To actively deny the authority of Rome is to place oneself outside the gate of salvation. for Catholics - Extra Cathedra Nulla Salus.
The MAGA wing of folks who despise the message of the Gospels could be expected to despise one whose faith is centered on that message. They have been groomed for decades to center hate and fear of the “other”, and to presume their own superiority to any authority figure who does not align with their hatreds and fears.
Well said. The more these lost souls, corrupted by the virus of hatred, fulminate the more we know Pope Leo has spoken the truth. They want him to bless all that Trump does like so called Patriarch Kirill of Moscow does for Putin. It’s not going to happen.
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MAGA commentators are viewing Leo from their MAGA lens. That is not way Leo sees the world, nor should it be. Thanks for making it clear that MAGA and Catholicism are definitely not aligned. Talk about religious freedom! From a MAGA viewpoint, that appears to mean everyone has the freedom to practice their religion.
This is one of the most reassuring newsletters I have read. I have been very concerned about people entering the faith listening to the charlatans all listed here. But if they are basically going to force the issue of choosing themselves or the Vicar of Christ, I think the problem will resolve itself.
These unfounded attacks on Pope Leo are both vicious and downright wicked.
I am an American Protestant clergyman and Church historian, and I stand solidly with Pope Leo. His is the prophetic voice of righteousness and integrity, so needed right now. No wonder he upsets MAGA commentators, Trumpists, and the wilfully ignorant among so-called "Christian" Nationalists.
God bless, direct, and protect Pope Leo !
Isn’t it ironic that these people criticizing the Pope are supposed to be “Christians and specifically Catholic. The lessons that I learned growing up were, Catholic was peace, love your neighbor as yourself, do not kill, no lying against anyone etc. I think these self righteous people missed a few Catechism classes.
They have rejected the teachings of Christ.
I am a Ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church USA.
I so enjoy reading your column, Christopher and I also stand in solidly with Pope Leo.
In One Peace,
Sharye
Love this: “Because in a world on fire, the man in white is still the one pointing toward the water.”
If I had to take a side and in times like these there really are no sidelines, I would side with Pope Leo. His consistent calls for peace and justice form the cornerstone of Christianity. Ignorance and hate no matter who spews it or how it’s packaged lead to a certain joyless, lifeless, maze of myopic and ruinous hopelessness. No thank you. We can do better.
Marxism seems to be their all-purpose insult when someone doesn’t agree with what they think. You are correct as well about the extent to which they worship their own beliefs. The Pope is not a Marxist. It is his job to call for peace as a religious leader. It is his job to help create the presence of justice.
Nicely stated: "Marxism seems to be their all-purpose insult...." My own family members have used this! However, Bishop Barron (a popular reich wing pundit featured on many podcasts) criticized AOC's comments about Marco Rubio's statement at the Munich Security Conference, by saying HER statements were straight out of the "Marxist Playbook." https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SZE3hiPlrHA I am drafting a memo to the Bishop Barron, my Bishop, Pastor and the USCCB as a lay apostolate and I encourage all of Christopher's readers to do likewise. We don't want another Father Charles Coughlin to twist the message of love spoken by Jesus into hate and fear using the authority of the church!
It comes as no surprise that MAGA loyalists would speak so disparagingly about Pope Leo. Leo has finally invigorated the US bishops to come out of hiding in fear of Trump's reprisals and speak to what is right and just. MAGA stands for lying, deceit, subterfuge, immorality, and the spreading of falsehoods. Pope Leo stands for all that is right, and could not be a better leader of the Catholic Church.
And of humanity in general.
Thank you, Christopher...I appreciate your including the obviously inhumane, beyond disrespectful, and - it would seem- anti-Christian " MAGA" reactions - since I, and i presume, many others, are not tuned in to them. Thank you for lifting up catholic social justice teaching. No justice, no peace. And thanks for reminding us of Pope John XXlll's papacy, 'Pacem in Terris', and the Second Vatican Council, and how revolutionary that was, and still is for many. Your insight regarding 'authority' and the burden of practitioners dealing with finding themselves in disagreement with The Pope is insightful. I find it fascinating that those who would bow and scrape without question to other popes, will scrap fiercely with Leo xiv, and with Francis - because they challenge the formalized polarized vision of right and wrong, and emphasize the inclusion of all Peoples, and the basic rights and belonging of everyone. The religion of John and Francis and Leo is not a formal convenient righteous judgmental and exclusive Catholicism, but an active, often inconvenient, real, humane, dynamic and evolving Church. May peace prevail.
Bless Pope Leo. He is the Word of God on earth. Much love to our dear Pope.
I wonder - are these Maga-Catholics actually rejecting Pope Leo as the head of the Catholic Church - to whom they owe obedience? If so then does that mean they are in schism from the Church and no longer part of the body of Christ? To actively deny the authority of Rome is to place oneself outside the gate of salvation. for Catholics - Extra Cathedra Nulla Salus.
That’s a good question.
The MAGA wing of folks who despise the message of the Gospels could be expected to despise one whose faith is centered on that message. They have been groomed for decades to center hate and fear of the “other”, and to presume their own superiority to any authority figure who does not align with their hatreds and fears.
Well said. The more these lost souls, corrupted by the virus of hatred, fulminate the more we know Pope Leo has spoken the truth. They want him to bless all that Trump does like so called Patriarch Kirill of Moscow does for Putin. It’s not going to happen.
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🕯️🕊️ 🌍 “Before the Edge”
The square was still — a holy hush
As pilgrims heard the urgent rush
Of words that called for war to crush
And peace to rise beyond the crush.
“Before an abyss wide enough to drown
Our hopes, our dreams, our common ground,
Take up the calls of peace unbound —
Let conscience guide what must be found.” He looked at every weathered face
And asked that mercy have its place,
Not driven back by fear’s embrace
But forward in compassionate grace.
For everywhere the conflict grew
From ashes of what once we knew:
Gaza’s rubble, Ukraine’s blue,
And every soul that war once slew.
“Talk first, not steel,” the message rang,
“A dialogue where peace might hang
On every word that pangs out-clang
The clash of arms and battle’s fang.” No creed confers a license cold
To build more war in stories told.
But every faith — both meek and bold —
Lifts justice where compassion’s sold.
So hear the call before it’s late —
The moral plea that comes from fate.
Let councils convene at every gate
And dialogue recalibrate. Let leaders lay aside their pride
And wear instead humility’s guide.
May nations stand not war’s divide
But peace’s broad and gentle tide.
For peace is not an idle word,
Not something weak, nor barely heard —
It is a mighty song — preferred
By hearts where love is stirred.
And before the abyss is cast,
Before the die of war is fast,
Let moderation and dialogue last
And heal what violence has amassed.
In every tongue, in every land
Let peace take root, let peace expand.
For only mercy can withstand
The ravages of war’s demand.
⸻
🕯️✨ Hold these Lantern verses close — share them wide — and let the call for peace be heard in every street and every scroll. 📜🕊️🕯️
#ResharingBrigade #GrandparentsForTruth #IndieMedia #ProDemocracy #SupportUkraine #SupportPalestine #SupportAfghanVets #PeoplePoweredPolicies
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MAGA commentators are viewing Leo from their MAGA lens. That is not way Leo sees the world, nor should it be. Thanks for making it clear that MAGA and Catholicism are definitely not aligned. Talk about religious freedom! From a MAGA viewpoint, that appears to mean everyone has the freedom to practice their religion.
This is one of the most reassuring newsletters I have read. I have been very concerned about people entering the faith listening to the charlatans all listed here. But if they are basically going to force the issue of choosing themselves or the Vicar of Christ, I think the problem will resolve itself.