My relationship with the church of my youth has certainly had its highs and lows.<\/p>\n
As someone who was raised in the Catholic faith, I have participated in various sacraments, regularly attend Sunday mass, and received a Catholic education that culminated at Georgetown University, which has a Jesuit background. My father was dedicated to his faith, attending mass daily for the Eucharist before heading to his law practice, and my aunt was a nun, a Sister of Charity who earned a PhD in classical languages.<\/p>\n
Conversely, I have struggled for many years with the rigid adherence to Catholic doctrine\u2014there are numerous rules to follow!\u2014and I have been deeply disturbed by the instances of sexual abuse involving clergy and the subsequent cover-ups. These scandals have cast a long shadow over the Church and have distanced me from my faith.<\/p>\n
In fact, due to my interest in yoga and Eastern philosophies, I have humorously referred to myself as “a lapsed Catholic and a half-hearted Buddhist.”<\/p>\n
However, recently I have felt a renewed connection to Catholicism that I haven’t experienced since I donned a delicate white dress for my first communion in second grade.<\/p>\n
In simple terms, I find inspiration in Pope Leo’s ongoing message of peace and his unwavering stance against the harmful rhetoric and erratic behavior of Donald Trump, especially after Trump shared a meme depicting himself in a Christ-like manner this week. Following the predictable backlash, Trump removed the post and absurdly claimed he was merely trying to portray himself as a doctor.<\/p>\n
The fact that Pope Leo, originally from Chicago, is the first American pope and a proponent of social justice, along with his enthusiasm for basketball, adds to his appeal.<\/p>\n
However, my renewed interest in the faith primarily stems from his bravery and motivating words.<\/p>\n
I am not alone in this sentiment.<\/p>\n
This week, Dan Savage, a prominent LGBTQ+ activist and sex columnist, declared, “That\u2019s it \u2013 I\u2019m going to start attending mass again,” after the pope used his @pontifex account, which boasts nearly 18 million followers, to issue a powerful warning: “Woe to those who manipulate religion and the name of God for their military, economic, and political gain, dragging what is sacred into darkness and filth.”<\/p>\n
Yet, Savage humorously noted that he might need to visit the confessional first, playfully stating, “Forgive me, father, for I have sinned. It\u2019s been 45 years since my last confession. I hope you packed a lunch, father, because this is going to take a while.”<\/p>\n
The dynamic between Trump and the pope has led to some light-hearted jokes, with speculation that Trump might encourage his supporters to establish their own version of Catholicism in America, perhaps even appointing a U.S.-based pope.<\/p>\n
One suggestion was that he could enlist his vice president, JD Vance, a recent Catholic convert, who recently advised the pope to exercise more caution when addressing “theological matters.” This situation exemplifies the absurdity often encountered in Trump\u2019s world.<\/p>\n
What are the sentiments of everyday American Catholics regarding this situation?<\/p>\n
From personal observations, I can share that many of my Catholic friends are quite pleased.<\/p>\n
“I love our pope,” one friend texted me on Easter, accompanied by a teary-eyed emoji. “Watching him this weekend. His humility… his surrender… his love.”<\/p>\n
This enthusiasm appears to be widespread, particularly among those with more progressive views.<\/p>\n
As one commentator humorously noted, who would have predicted that in the midst of America\u2019s tumultuous divisions, liberals would come to embrace Catholicism?<\/p>\n
On a quantitative note, a recent public opinion poll conducted by both Republican and Democratic pollsters indicates a decline in Catholic support for Trump, which has fallen below 50% amid the ongoing conflict in Iran. This marks a significant shift from the 2024 election, when he garnered the Catholic vote by a 12-point margin, as reported by the National Catholic Register.<\/p>\n
If there truly is a “feud” between Trump and Pope Leo, as many media outlets have labeled it, the question remains: who will ultimately prevail?<\/p>\n
Will it be the controversial president, facing legal implications for sexual misconduct and who has threatened to unleash devastating violence, or the peace-promoting pontiff who stands firm against bullies?<\/p>\n
While I don\u2019t claim to possess all the answers\u2014leaving that to a certain president\u2014I am inclined to place my bets on Pope Leo.<\/p>\n
Margaret Sullivan is a columnist for The Guardian US, focusing on media, politics, and culture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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