Pope Leo XIV gave Marco Rubio an olive-wood pen and called it the plant of peace. Rubio handed back the same crystal football he gives every world leader — and the first Washington Post polling shows Americans noticed.
Once again, Rubio has shown that he is not up to the task in diplomacy, much less on how to discuss and understand fundamental scriptures and the teachings of Jesus. Pope Leo was gracious, but he did not cede any moral authority in agreeing with the Trump regime's immoral war of choice. If I were given such a beautiful teaching gift by Pope Leo, my eyes would well up in joy and appreciation. Thank you Pope Leo for your efforts.
As in US under Frump is tone deaf and lacks depth and humanity. What not to give the Pope! Embarrassing moment! Agreed! Wow, ok! Exactly! The Pope offers olive to represent peace.
I am hearing Jean Shepard's voice say "Football? What's a a football?" from "A Christmas Story" when I watch this clip. There's really no symbolism as to why the State Department is currently giving out glass footballs. What does football have to do with diplomacy? Oh, no other country plays football with the same rules as ours (Canadian and Australian football are both close in that they are more rugby-ish like American football, but some rules are a little different.) So it's kind of an isolationist symbol. Wow, okay.
Pope Leo XIV as a former professional educator KUDOS to you in your gentle way of giving gifts symbolizing what you are asking for in our world. Every day as a practicing lifelong Catholic I pray for you and count you among my blessings. Thankful God put Letters from Leo on my radar to fill me with hope each day. Sharing with others to send positivity out into the world.
I am very disappointed that our diocese has not said one word about this issue. I have seen other diocese across the country come out in support of Pope Leo. Sad that our Joliet diocese in Illinois has not.
I'm so curious: do you have any idea why not? It sounds like it could be political. But shouldn't at least the Pope's origin in Illinois cause supportive fellow-feeling? Is Joliet politically opposite to where Pope Leo hails from?
I should ask them why. We have an interim bishop. Our bishop was assigned to NY. Our local church hasn't said anything either. That makes me wonder if there is direction from the diocese to not rock the boat
Bishop Spies, the interim, described Trump favorably in 2021 as the only president to "support life," but it is impossible to know his broader feelings about the president, including the president's attempts to stir up hostility against Leo among US Catholic voters. It could be that in the transition period the bishop is simply more focused on administrative matters than on anything else.
My parish has not said a word. I am so disappointed. Our Archbishop of Detroit has spoken out in this regimes treatment of immigrants and refugees, but not my parish
Well at least your Bishop hasn't been fired by the previous Pope (Strickland, Tyler Texas). smh Priests around here were telling Catholics they'll go to Hell if they voted for abortion - i.e. democrats. So instead they voted for people who have supported the murders of others without due cause; kidnapped children from their parents' arms, with no plan for reunification; supported and helped pay for the genocide in Gaza; supports Israel in their murders of Lebonon citizens; can't wait to take away living necessities from those who are the most vulnerable; and are stealing our money for a war that is unjust.
I even wrote Pope Francis the Holy See, begging Him to intervene during the felon's first term; to keep children with their guardians. I received a cheap bookmark of Jesus and a note that the Pope doesn't intervene in governments. Not one word about the children being traumatized by our government, not even a statement that the Pope would pray for them. I've not set foot in a catholic church since; and I doubt that I ever will again. BUT I attempt to live my life according to Jesus' teachings with a few exceptions.
I don’t think that’s unusual. All the priests I’ve personally known, and I don’t mean priests on TV or the internet, have a fear if not a distaste of stepping into politics.
Rubio's behavior is shameful and embarrassing; more importantly, it lays bare how profoundly out of his depth he is at State, and how deeply unserious, dangerous, and amateur this administration is, as well as operating in an ethical- and morality-free zone.
There have been plenty of American administrations that haven't dealt with the Church in any meaningful ways, apart from the standard good manners and diplomacy that becomes both the United States and the Holy See: all Rubio needed to do as SecState was to follow suit, act like an adult, and show a little respect and decorum. Instead he acted like a little punk kid having a tantrum, which makes everyone wonder how much his job as chief diplomat is utterly beyond his capacity. But it also makes one wonder how much of his faith, which he wears like a badge, means to him. I ask the same about the members of the administration who are protestant and who use their faiths as cudgels as well, while acting in direct opposition to the teachings of Christianity, Catholic or Protestant.
As a secular American and as one who longs to see greater separation between our governance and religious doctrine I can nevertheless spot and identify-and despise- the misappropriation of religion to suit statecraft, and the attendant hypocrisy therein. Rubio's behavior, like Vance's, Trump's, Hegseth's, Johnson's etc, are diametrically opposed to the most simple (yet difficult) message in Matthew, which even I as an agnostic think is a great idea on which to build a social contract, and yet they parade as though personally annointed. Which makes it even more glaring when any of them acts like this in front of, and toward, one who actually has been.
I'm thankful yet again for the graciousness and grace of His Holiness, and I stand in awe of his ability to dissemble, as well as to lead by example. Though I disagree with aspects of the Catholic doctrine, I am thankful that this is the man who was elevated to the role in which he serves, and of which the world stands in need, especially the ostensibly Catholic Secretary of State and the Vice President, who should just try shutting their mouths, and listening to him.
Wow. Just wow is right. Just another example of how everyone in the Trump regime is so out of touch with reality, both within our once great nation and beyond. Just unbelievable.
The Holy Father has been magnificent, including here. The Trump administration is an embarressment. I'm glad that Rubio at least did not come in confrontation but I don't think much has changed.
This utterly corrupt administration never had a "moral argument" for even a nanosecond, and therefore could not lose what it never had. Rubio's "gift" to the Holy Father was a perfect reflection of his tone-deaf ineptitude and his failure to understand what he ought to do and why.
Rubio is indeed not a "practicing Catholic," despite his claims that he attends Mass. He does, but between attendance at Christian Nationalist/evangelical "services." Back in the day, that would have been immediately labeled as heresy.
I am praying that these actions against Pope Leo will bring this administration down.
Once again, Rubio has shown that he is not up to the task in diplomacy, much less on how to discuss and understand fundamental scriptures and the teachings of Jesus. Pope Leo was gracious, but he did not cede any moral authority in agreeing with the Trump regime's immoral war of choice. If I were given such a beautiful teaching gift by Pope Leo, my eyes would well up in joy and appreciation. Thank you Pope Leo for your efforts.
Wow. Just wow. Not ok.
As in US under Frump is tone deaf and lacks depth and humanity. What not to give the Pope! Embarrassing moment! Agreed! Wow, ok! Exactly! The Pope offers olive to represent peace.
Talk about a fumble. And in front of the entire world, no less. This administration must go.
These letters from Leo are important to all who have eyes to see...and a heart and conscience to feel....thank you. Christopher
This got me laughing. This was basically a humiliation ritual for Marco Rubio.
I am hearing Jean Shepard's voice say "Football? What's a a football?" from "A Christmas Story" when I watch this clip. There's really no symbolism as to why the State Department is currently giving out glass footballs. What does football have to do with diplomacy? Oh, no other country plays football with the same rules as ours (Canadian and Australian football are both close in that they are more rugby-ish like American football, but some rules are a little different.) So it's kind of an isolationist symbol. Wow, okay.
I got that analogy as well.
MAGA TRASH are witless idiots who think this is appropriate
How embarrassing. I guess the rumors of Rubio being slightly more competent than Vance were overstated.
Both men are so full of ambition there isn't room for anything else.
And, the rule stands unbroken: Everything Trump touches dies. Everyone, too.
I'm not catholic but that was very lame.
Thank you for your support. Another phrase I must remember, " that was very lame" and, of course, the Holy Father´s "Wow, ok."
Pope Leo XIV as a former professional educator KUDOS to you in your gentle way of giving gifts symbolizing what you are asking for in our world. Every day as a practicing lifelong Catholic I pray for you and count you among my blessings. Thankful God put Letters from Leo on my radar to fill me with hope each day. Sharing with others to send positivity out into the world.
I am very disappointed that our diocese has not said one word about this issue. I have seen other diocese across the country come out in support of Pope Leo. Sad that our Joliet diocese in Illinois has not.
It’s time to look for another church.
I'm so curious: do you have any idea why not? It sounds like it could be political. But shouldn't at least the Pope's origin in Illinois cause supportive fellow-feeling? Is Joliet politically opposite to where Pope Leo hails from?
I should ask them why. We have an interim bishop. Our bishop was assigned to NY. Our local church hasn't said anything either. That makes me wonder if there is direction from the diocese to not rock the boat
😔
Bishop Spies, the interim, described Trump favorably in 2021 as the only president to "support life," but it is impossible to know his broader feelings about the president, including the president's attempts to stir up hostility against Leo among US Catholic voters. It could be that in the transition period the bishop is simply more focused on administrative matters than on anything else.
Sometimes silence speaks louder than words.
My parish has not said a word. I am so disappointed. Our Archbishop of Detroit has spoken out in this regimes treatment of immigrants and refugees, but not my parish
Sometimes silence speaks louder than words.
Well at least your Bishop hasn't been fired by the previous Pope (Strickland, Tyler Texas). smh Priests around here were telling Catholics they'll go to Hell if they voted for abortion - i.e. democrats. So instead they voted for people who have supported the murders of others without due cause; kidnapped children from their parents' arms, with no plan for reunification; supported and helped pay for the genocide in Gaza; supports Israel in their murders of Lebonon citizens; can't wait to take away living necessities from those who are the most vulnerable; and are stealing our money for a war that is unjust.
I even wrote Pope Francis the Holy See, begging Him to intervene during the felon's first term; to keep children with their guardians. I received a cheap bookmark of Jesus and a note that the Pope doesn't intervene in governments. Not one word about the children being traumatized by our government, not even a statement that the Pope would pray for them. I've not set foot in a catholic church since; and I doubt that I ever will again. BUT I attempt to live my life according to Jesus' teachings with a few exceptions.
I don’t think that’s unusual. All the priests I’ve personally known, and I don’t mean priests on TV or the internet, have a fear if not a distaste of stepping into politics.
Jake and Elwood are from there!
Rubio's behavior is shameful and embarrassing; more importantly, it lays bare how profoundly out of his depth he is at State, and how deeply unserious, dangerous, and amateur this administration is, as well as operating in an ethical- and morality-free zone.
There have been plenty of American administrations that haven't dealt with the Church in any meaningful ways, apart from the standard good manners and diplomacy that becomes both the United States and the Holy See: all Rubio needed to do as SecState was to follow suit, act like an adult, and show a little respect and decorum. Instead he acted like a little punk kid having a tantrum, which makes everyone wonder how much his job as chief diplomat is utterly beyond his capacity. But it also makes one wonder how much of his faith, which he wears like a badge, means to him. I ask the same about the members of the administration who are protestant and who use their faiths as cudgels as well, while acting in direct opposition to the teachings of Christianity, Catholic or Protestant.
As a secular American and as one who longs to see greater separation between our governance and religious doctrine I can nevertheless spot and identify-and despise- the misappropriation of religion to suit statecraft, and the attendant hypocrisy therein. Rubio's behavior, like Vance's, Trump's, Hegseth's, Johnson's etc, are diametrically opposed to the most simple (yet difficult) message in Matthew, which even I as an agnostic think is a great idea on which to build a social contract, and yet they parade as though personally annointed. Which makes it even more glaring when any of them acts like this in front of, and toward, one who actually has been.
I'm thankful yet again for the graciousness and grace of His Holiness, and I stand in awe of his ability to dissemble, as well as to lead by example. Though I disagree with aspects of the Catholic doctrine, I am thankful that this is the man who was elevated to the role in which he serves, and of which the world stands in need, especially the ostensibly Catholic Secretary of State and the Vice President, who should just try shutting their mouths, and listening to him.
Well put. Thanks!
Thanks, Geri x
Wow. Just wow is right. Just another example of how everyone in the Trump regime is so out of touch with reality, both within our once great nation and beyond. Just unbelievable.
The Holy Father has been magnificent, including here. The Trump administration is an embarressment. I'm glad that Rubio at least did not come in confrontation but I don't think much has changed.
Wow. You give Rubio way too much credit to separate himself from Trump. As you say tho, it is now on him too.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, in more ways than one.
This utterly corrupt administration never had a "moral argument" for even a nanosecond, and therefore could not lose what it never had. Rubio's "gift" to the Holy Father was a perfect reflection of his tone-deaf ineptitude and his failure to understand what he ought to do and why.
Rubio is indeed not a "practicing Catholic," despite his claims that he attends Mass. He does, but between attendance at Christian Nationalist/evangelical "services." Back in the day, that would have been immediately labeled as heresy.
I am praying that these actions against Pope Leo will bring this administration down.