Trump’s Dispute With Pope Leo Deepens Divisions on the Right

New York Times
by Tim Balk
April 17, 2026
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2 min read

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President Trump's comments on MAGA figures have intensified internal conflicts within the conservative movement.

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President Trump's dispute with Pope Leo is deepening divisions among conservative figures, as evidenced by recent public disagreements. Sean Hannity criticized the pope, prompting Tucker Carlson to attack Mr. Hannity. Amidst these escalating tensions, President Trump suggested ranking "MAGA figures" as "good, bad, and somewhere in the middle." This internal strife highlights a growing ideological rift within the conservative movement, particularly concerning the President's stance on religious leadership. The President's comments suggest an attempt to categorize and potentially control the narrative among his supporters regarding this contentious issue.

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Criticism of Pope Leo XIV by Trump and Vance

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV, particularly regarding the Pope's stance on the Iran war and religion. This has drawn reactions from political figures and the Pope himself.

Trump's Criticism of Pope Leo XIV and Religious Posts

President Trump has engaged in an ongoing public dispute with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff's calls for peace and stance on the Iran conflict. This has been accompanied by Trump's own controversial religious-themed social media posts, including AI-generated images.

Trump Administration's Strained Relationship with Pope Leo XIV

President Trump has engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff's stance on the Iran conflict and other political matters. This unusual tension has drawn reactions from political figures and religious experts, highlighting a divergence in views between the administration and the Vatican.

Trump Administration and Pope Leo XIV Conflict

Vice President Vance and other Trump administration officials have escalated criticism against Pope Leo XIV, warning him to 'be careful' and 'leave politics alone' after the Pope's critiques of Trump policies. This has ignited a theological debate and drawn comparisons to past papal political engagement.

Trump's Dispute with Pope Leo

President Trump's ongoing dispute with Pope Leo has become a significant talking point, with the Pope's Africa trip marked by an open clash. This conflict is reportedly deepening divisions within conservative political circles.

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Trump's Public Clash with Pope Leo XIV

A public dispute between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV has escalated, transforming the Pope's public image and deepening divisions among conservative figures. The clash has become a significant talking point in political and religious circles.

Trump's Dispute with Pope Leo XIV

A public dispute has escalated between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV, transforming the Pope's public image and deepening divisions among conservative figures. The conflict has become a significant topic of discussion in both religious and political circles.

Trump's Dispute with Pope Leo XIV

A public dispute has escalated between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV, particularly during the Pope's African tour. This conflict has been noted for deepening divisions within conservative political circles and has been a topic of significant media coverage.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and its Impact on US Catholics

A deepening feud between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV is causing significant division within the US Catholic community and among political conservatives. The Pope's recent visit to Africa has been marked by this public clash, with some suggesting Trump's attacks have emboldened the Pontiff.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV

President Trump engaged in an unprecedented public feud with Pope Leo XIV, causing division among US Catholics and drawing international attention. The dispute escalated during the Pope's African tour, with many observing that Trump's attacks inadvertently strengthened the Pope's public voice.

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