Moments after Donald Trump made the shocking claim that he had something to do with the pope’s appointment, Pope Leo spoke at a press conference and threw some subtle shade that many suggest was directed at the U.S. President.
On May 11, ABC’s Martha Raddatz was speaking live from the Vatican for a roundtable discussion on This Week for Pope Leo XIV’s first Sunday blessing.
Joining Raddatz – the host of the show formerly hosted by George Stephanopoulos – was ABC News senior national correspondent Terry Moran.
“The question that we had was how much did the American moment with President Trump matter? They’re telling us not at all,” Moran said of the historic appointment – the first time an American has ever been chosen to lead the Catholic Church. “It was [Prevost] that mattered.”
“And that’s what we’ve been hearing this morning. It was him,” Raddatz replied of the Chicago-born Cardinal, Robert Prevost, who was selected as pope.
The suggestion that Donald Trump wasn’t a factor in the cardinal’s decision ruffled some feathers back at the White House.
Slams the media
Seemingly reacting to the roundtable discussion, Trump shared a bizarre post on Truth Social, where he first took a shot at Raddatz and ABC and then suggested he played a key role in Pope Leo XIV’s appointment.
“So funny to watch old timer Martha Raditz on ABC Fake News (the Slopadopolus show!) this morning, blurt out that, effectively, Pope Leo’s selection had nothing to do with Donald Trump,” he shared in the post shared hours after the pope’s first Sunday blessing from St. Peter’s Square.
“It came out of nowhere, but it was on her Trump Deranged Mind. Remember, I did WIN the Catholic Vote, by a lot! Bob Iger should do something about the losers and haters he’s got on his low rated shows. It’s time for change. MAGA!!!”
‘Deplorable’
Shocked by Trump’s claims, online users replied to his Truth Social post on X, one even calling his message “deplorable.”
“How is this acceptable from the POTUS?! Deplorable,” one user tweets.
A second shares, “Is Trump claiming he had something to do with the election of the pope. Embarrassing.” And a third writes, “What a narcissist! Trump is literally trying to take credit for Pope Leo XIV being chosen as the current Pope. Trump does realize that American Catholics have nothing to do with choosing the Pope, right?”
‘Disarm communication’
On May 12 – hours after Trump’s post made its rounds on social media – Pope Leo stood before reporters in Vatican City and delivered a message of peace, openness, “the precious gift of free speech and of the press,” and respect for the role of journalism.
“The way we communicate is of fundamental importance: We must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war,” Leo said in his Italian address to more than 1,000 journalists, per Reuters. “Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us free it from aggression.”
“We do not need loud, forceful communication but rather communication that is capable of listening.”
Urging the release of imprisoned journalists, the pontiff added, “The suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations and the international community, calling on all of us to safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press.”
Holy shade
While Pope Leo never mentioned Trump or the U.S. government by name, his message landed close to home for those familiar with Washington’s current communication playbook, including late-night rants loaded with personal attacks coming from POTUS.
And many online users are interpreting the pontiff’s message as a thinly-veiled response to Trump’s latest attention-grabbing claim.
“New Pope delivers speech that sure seems like shade at Trump,” Tweets one user.
A second shares, “Pope takes swipe at those who attack journalists – as Trump rages about ‘fake news.’”
A third comments, “While Trump rants about ‘fake news’ and attacks journalists daily, Pope Leo strikes a blow for freedom of speech and the press!”
After the pope ended his speech, he walked through the crowd and was asked by NewsNation correspondent Robert Sherman if he had “any message” to give to the U.S.
“Many,” Pope Leo replied, padding the comment with a large smile and: “God bless you all.”
While Trump hasn’t officially responded to the Pope’s remarks, his Truth Social post continues to spark debate and disbelief. Vatican officials, meanwhile, seem content to leave the speculation to the media and move forward with Pope Leo’s vision of unity and open dialogue.
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