The President vs The Pope: A 21st Century Schism?
By Toby McTurk
In response to the US-Israel war in Iran, Pope Leo XIV has called out US President Donald Trump, denouncing the use of religion to rationalise violence. Trump has responded to these comments, calling the Pope ‘weak on crime’ and ‘terrible for foreign policy.’ Following this, the president uploaded an AI-generated image of himself portrayed in a Christ-like manner. This was later removed, with Trump telling reporters he thought it was ‘me as a doctor’. This debate has caused commotion within the Republican base of supporters, a large proportion of whom are highly religious.
History was made in 2025, when, following the passing of Pope Francis, the Vatican elected its first ever American Pope. Cardinal Robert Prevost, originally of Chicago, was to become the fourteenth Pope to take the name of Leo. At the time, the President said it was a ‘great honour’ to have an American Pope, with Vice President JD Vance, who himself converted to Catholicism in 2019, joining this praise. However, just 12 months later, the pontiff and the President find themselves at odds over the ongoing dispute in the Middle East.
”The American church has a significant influence on elections, with Catholics backing the winning candidate in the previous six elections”
The United States has the fourth largest population of Catholics globally, with a 2024 study by the Baker Institute showing that two-thirds of Americans identify as Christian. The American church has a significant influence on elections, with Catholics backing the winning candidate in the previous six elections. Yet, the criticism of Trump’s recent actions, including both those in Iran and on social media, have come from once-loyal conservatives. Bishop Joseph Strickland, bishop of the American Church, was the keynote speaker at the 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), at which Trump was the guest of honour. Yet, he has now commented: ‘I pray that all of this will clarify for people that we don’t look to a national leader, we don’t look to those who have the most money or the most weapons. We look to Christ.’
Bishop Strickland has, until now, supported Trump through thick and thin. He was confrontational with the late Pope Francis, which led to his removal as the Bishop of Tyler, Texas, in 2023. Now, amidst the disagreements between Washington and the Vatican’s narratives, Bishop Strickland has made a rare break from the Trump administration’s line. He has urged the President to recall the Gospel of Matthew, which reminds readers that supreme power lies not with any man, but with Christ.
‘When world leaders forget this truth, all are in peril,’ he said.
On the contrary, Vice President Vance has defended his boss, saying ‘He doesn’t send everything through a communications professional, […] he actually reaches out directly to the people.’
”The criticism of Trump’s recent actions, including both those in Iran and on social media, have come from once-loyal conservatives”
Should President Trump dissuade Christian voters, this could have a significant impact on the results of the 2026 Midterm Elections. The Republican Party currently holds 53 of the 100 Senate seats, and 217 of the 435 House seats. The election will see all House seats and 35 Senate seats contested across the country, with the Democrats needing just six House seats and four Senate seats to take control of both chambers. As of the 19th of April 2026, the Economist reports Trump’s approval rating as -17, with 38% of pollsters saying they approve of the President, and 56% saying they do not. This is lower than both the -11 rating that Trump held at the same point during his first term of office, and the -7 rating that President Biden held at this point during his term. During Trump’s first term, the 2018 Midterm elections saw Republicans take a net gain of two seats in the Senate (of which 35 seats were contested), but Democrats took the House, with a net change of 41 seats.
The effect that the President’s conflict with the papacy is having on his voter base remains to be seen, but with key Christian figures condemning him, voters could move away from the incumbent party.
The midterm elections will be held on Tuesday 3rd November 2026.
Image: Donald J. Trump on Truth Social (AI) via Wikimedia Commons
