Letters from Leo — the American Pope & US Politics

Letters from Leo — the American Pope & US Politics

Turning the Other Cheek Is Not for “Losers” — Pope Leo XIV’s Message From a Boat on Lake Albano

He is the first pope in four centuries at Castel Gandolfo to carry the Madonna across the water himself. The word he put in the cynics’ mouths is the one Donald Trump reaches for whenever he wants to brand someone weak.

Christopher Hale's avatar
Christopher Hale
Aug 29, 2026
∙ Paid
A sketch of a Vatican Media still shot from Pope Leo XIV’s blessing on the shore of Lake Albano at Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on Aug. 29, with bathers watching from their boats behind him.

Thank you for reading! Letters from Leo is a reader-supported publication and the fastest-growing Catholic community in the country. To receive new posts and support this…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Christopher Hale.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Christopher Hale · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture