SCARBOROUGH, ONT.—“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9.

Pope Leo XIV has been forceful in calling for peace in the Iranian war, condemning what he calls “absurd and inhuman violence,” warning that “hands are full of blood,” and reminding us that “war does not solve problems, it amplifies them and leaves lasting wounds.”

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United States President Donald Trump, characteristically, did not respond to the message. Instead he attacked the messenger calling Leo “weak,” “terrible on foreign policy,” and “weak on nuclear weapons.” What any of that means is unclear. My personal favourite is “he meets with Obama Sympathizers like David Axelrod a LOSER from the left.”

What is clear is the pattern: ignore the substance, discredit the source.

And then, in a moment that captures the strangeness of our times, Trump posts images of himself embracing Jesus Christ. Even the odious Iranian theocracy must wonder about these crazy Americans.

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