Thanks to Trump, the Catholic vote is now up for grabs

After President Trump posted an image on his Truth Social account depicting himself as a modern-day Jesus Christ with images of soldiers and fighter aircraft, the Statute of Liberty and the American flag in the background, the outrage was immediate. Catholic podcaster Isabel Brown said it was “frankly, disgusting and unacceptable.” Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, described the image as “deeply offensive.”  

Trump removed the post, lamely telling reporters that he believed the post depicted himself as a doctor healing a bed-ridden patient. But that blasphemous post was not his first. When the papal conclave met last May to select a successor to Pope Francis, Trump posted a picture of himself dressed as a pope, causing the New York State Conference of Catholics to respond: “There is nothing clever or funny about this image. Do not mock us.”   

Since then, things have gotten worse. Pope Leo told reporters that Trump’s threat to Iran that “a whole civilization will die tonight” was “truly unacceptable.” He also instructed Catholics to contact members of Congress saying, “We don’t want war, we want peace.” 

Over time, the pope’s statements have grown increasingly pointed.

In a Palm Sunday sermon, Leo quoted the Book of Isaiah, stating that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war,” citing the Prophet Isaiah who wrote, “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen—your hands are full of blood.”

Later, Leo posted, “Anyone who........

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