Knights of Columbus, Catholic leaders around the world continue to back Pope Leo after Trump’s remarks

The Knights of Columbus — an international fraternity of more than two million Catholic men — issued a statement from Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly April 15 emphasizing Catholics’ responsibility in civic life and expressing solidarity with Pope Leo XIV after President Donald Trump heavily criticized the Holy Father. 

Kelly described Trump’s comments against the Pope as “disparaging” and underscored that many Catholics and non-Catholics were disappointed about them. 

“The Successor of Saint Peter is not a politician — he is the Vicar of Christ, entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding souls,” Kelly said. “The Knights of Columbus has always stood in solidarity with the Holy Father, recognizing in him a spiritual father who calls the world not to division, but to unity, not to conflict, but to peace. In this moment, we reaffirm that commitment with clarity and conviction.”

At the same time, Kelly continued, nations have a right to protect themselves and Catholics have a duty to elevate civic dialogue out of care for the common good.

“We recognize that faithful Catholics can and do engage vigorously in the public square, and that nations have a right and duty to safeguard the security of their own people — always in accordance with the demands of justice and the pursuit of peace,” he said. “The Church does not ask Catholics to withdraw from civic life, but to engage with and elevate it — bringing to our civic dialogue the light of truth, respect for the dignity of every human person, and a steadfast concern for the common good.”

Zeale News previously reported that Trump posted to Truth Social on April 12 against Pope Leo, saying he “should get his act together as Pope” and “stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, and not a Politician.” The statement comes as the Pontiff has continued to publicly urge global leaders to pursue peace and dialogue rather than armed conflict. 

Kelly said Pope Leo’s recurring calls for peace and restraint “are not political talking points,” but rather “reflections of the Gospel itself.”  

“Whether one agrees or disagrees with particular policy judgments, the Holy Father’s prophetic voice deserves to be heard with respect and engaged seriously,” Kelly added. 

Knights “are called to be men of unity, as followers of Christ and patriotic citizens,” he continued, inviting them to pray for Pope Leo, civic leaders, and peace, and to renew their efforts to exercise charity in civic dialogue. 

“May we be known not for echoing the divisions of our time, but for healing them,” he concluded. “In a moment of tension, the path forward is not louder conflict, but deeper fidelity — to truth, to charity, and to the Gospel.”

Catholics continue to rally behind Pope Leo 

Many other Catholic leaders across the U.S. and internationally have spoken up in solidarity with the Pope after the U.S. President verbally attacked him. 

Father Gerard Francisco Timoner III, master of the Order of Preachers — also known as the Dominicans — said in an April 13 statement that the Dominicans “renew our unwavering commitment to the cause of peace.”

“In a world torn by conflict and division, the Order will continue to labor for reconciliation led by Pope Leo XIV and to advance dialogue guided by the light of truth and the Gospel,” he added. 

Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi of the Syriac Maronite Patriarchate of Antioch Bkerké in Lebanon — a country Pope Leo visited last year — issued a statement April 14 condemning “every assault or offense that touches upon the dignity and sanctity" of the Pope, “who represents the voice of the Catholic Church and the voice of the living human conscience, the constant advocate for upholding truth, establishing justice, and building peace among peoples.” 

The presidency of the Episcopal Conference of Peru — a country where Pope Leo ministered for years before his pontificate — also issued a statement reiterating its closeness and respect for Pope Leo, supporting his call for “disarmed and disarming” peace in the world.  

Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus in the TV series “The Chosen,” issued a heartfelt statement reflecting on the gravity of the moment and calling on people to pray for both Pope Leo and Trump. The Catholic actor shared that because he has lost extended family members, who were innocent civilians struck in war’s crossfire, his conviction for peace runs deep, saying “the cost is simply too great otherwise.” 

“Of course, nations have the right — and the responsibility — to defend their people. Threats cannot be ignored,” Roumie said on a Facebook post. “But when that defense results in the loss of innocent life — especially women and children — my heart compels me to stand with Pope Leo XIV in his call for peace…even as I fall to my knees in prayer for an end to violence.”

Christ’s words, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” feel particularly urgent, Roumie reflected.

“We’re living in a time when division comes far too easily — when the devil delights in turning us against one another, using our vulnerabilities, weaknesses and frankly anything and everything he can against us, seeking ultimately to destroy humanity in the process,” he said. He stressed the importance of prayer for both the President and the Pope, especially through the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

A number of Catholic clergy in the U.S. have spoken up as well, including Archbishop Paul Coakley, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as Zeale News reported. Winona-Rochester Bishop Robert Barron, Buffalo Bishop Michael Fisher, Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge, and Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark also supported Pope Leo. 

Archbishop Edward Weisenburger of Detroit, issued a statement appealing to political leaders and all people of goodwill to strive to end wars and achieve peace through dialogue and reconciliation, as Pope Leo has called for. Archbishop Nelson Perez of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in an April 13 statement praised Pope Leo’s messages of clarity and compassion.

“His continued calls for peace, hope, diplomacy, and the conversion of hearts should be heeded by all,” Archbishop Perez said. “The Church of Philadelphia stands by the Holy Father as he continues to call and pray for world peace as he has done since the beginning of his pontificate.”

Archbishop Charles Thompson of Indianapolis, Indiana, issued a detailed statement about papal elections and Church teaching on war, while emphasizing solidarity with Pope Leo. 

“Rooted in the Sacred Scriptures and long-standing Catholic Teaching, Pope Leo XIV has been persistent about the need for authentic reflection, dialogue, discernment, and action to address the signs of our times, particularly with regard to morality and ethics of aggressive behavior towards others. While it is the poor, vulnerable, and innocent who suffer the most from war, few if any members of society really win,” he said. “Properly understood, religion can serve as the conscience of society.” 

Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, expressed concern over Trump’s rhetoric as falling short of the standard expected “from both his office and his professed Christian faith.”  

The archbishop criticized Trump’s threat to destroy an entire civilization as immoral and his remarks against Pope Leo as “misguided.”

“The Holy Father’s call for peace, dialogue, and conversion of heart in the face of war arises not from partisanship or political bias, but from his Christian identity and mission as Supreme Pastor of Christ’s Church on earth,” he said. “The Church’s mission is to preach the Good News of her divine founder, Jesus Christ, proclaiming peace, truth, and the dignity of every human person.”