Senator John Kennedy Criticizes President Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, a Republican and longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, has publicly criticized the president's ongoing conflict with Pope Leo XIV, referring to it as a 'distraction.' In a recent Fox News interview, Kennedy expressed his disagreement with Trump's approach, stating, 'I love the president like a taco. I don't always agree with him, but I think he wants a better world. But I don't agree with him about this new holy war with the pope.'

Kennedy, a Methodist who co-founded his local church chapter, emphasized his respect for Catholicism and suggested that the pope is 'entitled to his opinion.' He questioned the necessity of the conflict, asking, 'Why do we want to have a fight with the pope? It's a distraction. And the press just sucks it up like a Hoover Deluxe.'

The senator's remarks come amid escalating tensions between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV over the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. The pope recently condemned Trump's threat that 'a whole civilization will die' in Iran if the country does not end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, calling the remarks 'truly unacceptable' and urging Americans to advocate for peace. In response, Trump labeled Pope Leo 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy' in a Truth Social post.

Vice President JD Vance, a recent convert to Catholicism, has defended Trump amid criticism from Christian voters. Vance suggested that the pope should focus on matters within the Catholic Church, while the president should concentrate on American public policy.