Leo XIV: The Pope Who Wouldn't Shut Up
What did they expect? He's from the south side of Chicago.
However did Donald Trump and Co. imagine they could take on Pope Leo, a guy from the south side of Chicago? The baddest part of town. Chicago is also the hometown of Trump’s other nemesis, Barack Obama. Also a southsider. Those of us from Chicago are laughing our asses off.
Soft-spoken but unambiguous, Pope Leo recently delivered this message to the president and the so-called Christians who comprise his ranks: “I have no fear of either the Trump administration nor of speaking out loud the message of the gospel.” Pope Leo offers more than platitudes in his effort to thwart war and draw attention to the Trump administration's inhumane immigration policies. He has encouraged his followers to "contact the authorities — political leaders, congressmen — to ask them to work for peace and to reject war always.”
Considering the Pope has a flock of more than 1.4 billion, this is a powerful message, especially when weighed against Trump’s measly 6.3 million followers on Truth Social. NBC News found this month that Pope Leo held a +46-point net favorability rating in the United States, significantly higher than that of any U.S. politician, including Trump, whose net favorability is currently -17 (according to The Economist and Silver Bulletin).
Among Catholic Republicans, Pope Leo has an 84% approval rating, and among Catholic Democrats, 89%. Not bad. Trump’s approval rating among Catholics as of April 2026? Forty-two percent (CNN). Yes, half of Pope Leo’s. And Trump’s rating continues to drop each and every time he opens his mouth and says something disparaging about the pontiff.
This latest rant about Leo did not score Trump any brownie points among Catholics, or with anyone else, for that matter. Fav quote from this post: “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.” Number one sign you’ve got a narcissist on your hand (in this case, a malignant one): they’ve got an exaggerated sense of self-importance, frequently brag and overstate their achievements. They also don’t bother with grammar checkers (i.e., “If I weren’t in the White House…”). They’re so smart, they don’t need them.
Trump’s most shocking statement on Iran, as we all know, came on April 7, 2026: “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” This had to be the lowest point in Trump’s second term. In fact, it’s probably the lowest in the history of all the U.S. presidents — like, since 1789. The world’s response to this tweet was brutal, including amongst Trump’s ardent followers and his most loyal social media cheerleaders. Folks are finally (hallelujah) starting to put some miles between themselves and Crazy Town. Included in this bunch: Theo Von, Andrew Schultz, the Nelk Boys, Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Alex Jones, and Joe Rogan.
The Pope’s response to this April 7th tweet was immediate and forceful. From the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy (translated from the Italian):
“Attacks on civilian infrastructure are against international law and also a sign of the hatred, the division, the destruction that the human being is capable of. We all want to work for peace. People want peace.”
Reiterating portions of his Easter message, Leo also stated: “People of goodwill — search always for peace and not violence, to reject war, especially a war which many people have said is an unjust war, which is continuing to escalate and is not resolving anything.” He went on to say, “We have a worldwide economic crisis, energy crisis, situation in the Middle East of great instability, which is only provoking more hatred throughout the world.”
Continuing on (though never directly mentioning Trump’s name), the Pope said: “Today, as we all know, there was also this threat against the entire people of Iran, and this truly is not acceptable. Let us begin with dialogue. We should resolve problems without reaching this point, yet here we are. We must pray a great deal. Let’s come back to the table, let’s talk, let’s look for solutions in a peaceful way, and let’s remember especially the innocent. Children, the elderly, the sick, so many people have already become or will become victims of this continued warfare.”
Other notable quotes from the last week include this from Pope Leo’s prayer vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica on April 11: “Enough with the idolatry of self and money. Enough with the display of force. Enough with war! True strength is manifested in serving life.” Continuing, he noted: “I receive many letters from children from conflict zones: reading them, one perceives, with the truth of innocence, all the horror and inhumanity of actions that some adults proudly boast about. Let us listen to the voices of children.”
Also, in this flurry of messages from the Vatican in mid-April was the Pope’s warning to Vance, Witkoff, and Kusher in anticipation of their meeting with leaders in Pakistan. He says, “Certainly, the leaders of nations have compelling responsibilities. We cry out to them: stop! This is the time for peace. Sit at the tables of dialogue and mediation, not at the tables where rearmament is planned, and death is deliberated. God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs.”
JD Vance has argued there is a long tradition of the idea of a “just war” and has questioned the Pope’s assertions that God is never on the side of those wielding the sword, citing the liberation of Holocaust victims. Vance, however, has never connected the dots on how this concept relates to the United States’ indiscriminate bombing of Iran, where little effort is being made to keep those bombs from striking innocent people, many of the victims we are purportedly protecting.
PBS did a great breakdown of all this recent back-and-forth between the Trump administration and Pope Leo. Pope Leo’s unwavering stance on peace and on the humane treatment of immigrants is impressive.
Especially poignant, in light of all the praying going on in support of the war amongst MAGA folks and evangelical Christians, is the Pope’s message from his homily on Palm Sunday, “This is our God, Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them. ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.’” This biblical quote is from Isaiah 1:15.
There is no disguising the intended recipients of the Pope’s comments: Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump. Hegseth had only recently, at a Christian worship service at the Pentagon on March 25th, prayed, “Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation. Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”
Compelling is Nora O’Donnell’s landmark interview with three influential U.S. Cardinals, during which they give their take on the war in Iran and Trump’s immigration policies. Sprinkled throughout are clips of the pontiff speaking to these same issues.
On to lighter, Pope-related topics… an interview between Spike Feresten of Spike’s Car Radio and Ford CEO Jim Farley. It includes a cute story about the Pope’s new car, a heartfelt gift from Farley and his wife. Farley also relays a great joke (from the Pope) that you won’t want to miss.
After watching this engaging interview, you, like me, may have found yourself thinking, “Boy, that guy, Jim, looks and sounds a lot like Chris Farley.” Yes, THE Chris Farley. 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 The smile is unmistakable.
Guess what?! Turns out Jim Farley is a cousin of the late comedian. They grew up together in Wisconsin. Crazy, eh? Listen to the way Jim tells jokes and his thick Wisconsin accent. No DNA test needed! Then there’s that last name. Another dead giveaway.
Now it’s time to CRANK UP this karaoke version of Leroy Brown and sing along with lyrics updated for Pope Leo XIV👇🏼.
BAD, BAD, LEO XIV Sung to the tune "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown" (Jim Croce) Woo! There’s a 'burb south of Chicago Village of Dolton is its name And if you go down there The folks are kind and fair Home boy Leo’s brought 'em fame Pope Leo’s causing trouble Take his stand on the Iran war He won’t fall in line With Trump and his fascists Their threats are such a bore And that’s bad, Leo XIV (say “X, I, V”) The baddest pope in history Badder than Don the Con Sweeter than a rescue dog Now Leo is the pontiff And he wears those fancy clothes And he likes to wave his Piscatory Ring In front of Pete and Donald's nose He got a custom Ford Explorer He got a Popemobile... Vroom! He got Pontifical Swiss Guard In the Vatican City They’ve got rifles and machine guns, too And that’s bad, bad for Trump & friends The Pope is firm and on peace won’t bend Won't be bullied by The Don Fearless in the face of wrong On Tuesday, ‘bout a week ago Vance told Leo to be nice Be careful when talking ‘bout theology And don’t you dare disparage ICE Evangelicals heckled 'ol JD And his troubles soon began The hillbilly learned A real hard lesson ‘Bout messin’ with the Church’s man And that’s bad, Leo XIV (say “X, I, V”) The baddest pope in history Badder than Don the Con Sweeter than a rescue dog Then the four men took to squabbling And when they gave quotes to the press Leo spoke of Jesus and peace Don and JD looked a mess And we’re glad, glad for the GOP’s Flock divided on bigotry They were wrong about Dementia Don He's crueler than Genghis Khan And that’s bad, Leo XIV (say “X, I, V”) The baddest pope in history Badder than Don the Con Sweeter than a rescue dog
Born Robert Prevost, this 👆 is Father Bob’s childhood home in Dolton, IL. The Pope’s humble beginnings surely make him more qualified to provide guidance to the Church’s flock of 1.4 BILLION than any of those self-serving, money-grubbing, religiously hypocritical GOP types in D.C.
Talk amongst yourselves.
Amen and ase.
Love this Pope and the late Pope Francis! But mostly- love the new lyrics to Bad, Bad Leroy Brown 🎶