Blessed are the peacemakers

Well, Trump really stepped in it when he trashed Pope Leo XIV last week. Da Pope from Chicago had the gall to say that war is bad and Jesus doesn’t like it.

Trump went ballistic. He told Pope Leo to mind his own business. I’m no politician — and certainly no theologian — but I did have 16 years of Catholic education, including 12 at St. Mary’s School, and I know them’s fighting words with the good Sisters of the Presentation, not to mention Monsignor Ivis, the longtime St. Mary’s pastor who was a boxer before he was a priest. He had the respect of all, including young men with bad attitudes.

Sister Bernardine’s tough love and Irish wit, coupled with Msgr. Ivis’ guidance, might have helped Trump develop as a man, had he attended Catholic instead of military school. He would have learned the seven Corporal Works of Mercy that Christ taught in Chapter 25 of Matthew’s Gospel:

• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Shelter the homeless
• Visit the sick
• Visit the prisoners
• Bury the dead
• Give money to the poor

Christ added, “Whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers, you did for me.” He is also quoted in Matthew telling us to love our enemies.

Instead, on Easter Sunday, in a profane and unhinged social media attack, Trump threatened to eliminate Iranian civilization. This followed a rant during a speech a couple weeks ago when Trump condemned all Somalians as “garbage.” Trump warned the Pope to stay out of politics. And then Trump had the audacity to post a picture of himself as a Christ-like figure, which enraged Christians around the world. It even offended non-believers.

The Pope commenting on these matters isn’t politics. It’s the basis of Christianity. That’s his job. Leo would be derelict in his duty if he didn’t speak up as leader of 1.5 billion Catholics whose pastors preach Jesus’ message of love and kindness every Sunday from pulpits around the globe. Catholics were a big factor in Trump winning the 2024 election. But that support among conservative Catholics as well as others is cratering since Trump’s pontifical tirade.

If Trump listened to the Pope, he’d be a much better politician. But listening to others has never been Trump’s strong suit. If politicians ever campaigned on real Christian values, I think they’d win in a landslide.

Pope Leo has an 84% approval rating; Trump is at 36%. Numbers don’t lie.