Before his passing, Pope Francis conveyed a poignant Easter message centered on unity and compassion for marginalized individuals and migrants, urging, “All of us are children of God!” In stark contrast, President Donald Trump delivered a sharply worded Easter message targeting his adversaries, including “Radical Left Lunatics,” “WEAK and INEFFECTIVE Judges and Law Enforcement Officials,” and former President Joe Biden, whom he dubbed “our WORST and most Incompetent President.”
As Trump’s presence in Rome for the late pope’s funeral approached, their distinct differences, not only in style but also on issues such as immigration, environmental policies, and poverty, became more pronounced. Prior to his departure from Washington, Trump remarked that Pope Francis “loved the world, actually, and he was just a good man,” describing him as a “fantastic kind of a guy.”
The relationship between Trump and Francis was characterized as “fraught” by David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, noting its deterioration during Trump’s presidency. Their early disagreements on immigration were public, with Francis criticizing Trump’s 2016 proposal to build a wall as “not Christian.” Though Trump initially branded this as “disgraceful,” support for him rose among American Catholics, particularly due to his stances on abortion and his influence on the Supreme Court, as well as the backing of many conservative bishops.
Despite these dynamics, Trump’s support within the Catholic community didn’t translate to personal favor from Francis. The pope maintained focus on broader global issues beyond American politics, even as Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the pontiff’s far-reaching influence.
Francis and Trump did meet at the Vatican in 2017, yet their differences were evident, particularly on immigration. This year, Francis again emphasized compassionate policies in a letter to U.S. bishops, criticizing the administration’s deportation plans and aligning with biblical narratives of refuge.
While some bishops supported Trump’s educational and gender policies, others, including those appointed by Francis, prioritized his progressive initiatives. These included Cardinal Robert McElroy, representing a more aligned vision with the pope’s aims.
The Catholic demographic in America is diverse, reflecting varied political alignments. John Fea, of Messiah University, noted that many conservative Catholics, though respecting the papacy, often disagreed with Francis’ views on immigration and LGBTQ+ issues. Conversely, progressive Catholics likely resonated with the pope’s social justice emphasis, possibly influencing their vote against Trump in elections.
Divergences extended to environmental policies and capital punishment, wherein Francis advocated for climate action and opposed the death penalty, in contrast to Trump’s fossil fuel endorsements and death penalty stance. Stylistically, Trump’s assertive persona contrasted with Francis’ approach, known for humility and inclusion.
Nevertheless, some common policy goals existed, such as on abortion and religious freedom, indicating that broader Vatican and U.S. relations transcended individual leadership differences. Steven Millies from the Catholic Theological Union highlighted these nuances, pointing out their diplomatic alignments rather than personal or political.
Ultimately, the late pope and Trump were strikingly different individuals, with the former deeply shaped by Jesuit spirituality and global faith leadership, while the latter often interwove biblical references into his public persona.