Pope Leo XIV Denounces Prejudice and Authoritarian Rhetoric in First Public Address

 

Pope Leo XIV has sparked outrage within MAGA circles with his remarks during his first papal press conference, where he criticized "loud" communication and "prejudice" while making a strong call for the protection of free speech.

Addressing a group of journalists at the Vatican, the Pope stated in Italian, "We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice." He called on the world to "disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism, and even hatred," emphasizing the need to "free it from aggression."

He also advocated for the defense of the "precious gift of free speech and of the press," directly opposing Donald Trump's frequent attacks on the "Fake News Media" and his attempts to silence criticism through lawsuits. Pope Leo expressed solidarity with journalists imprisoned for reporting the truth, calling for their release.

Though Pope Leo did not mention Donald Trump specifically, the inference was clear, given Trump's notorious rhetorical style. The night before the Pope's speech, Trump had posted an attack on Truth Social, referring to "Crooked Democrats" as "World Class Losers!!!"

Pope Leo’s condemnation of this type of communication seems to reflect his past criticisms of Trump and others in the MAGA movement. In February, while still Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, he shared an article titled "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others," where he countered Vance's claim that Christians should prioritize family, neighbors, and country over the rest of the world.

Additionally, the Cardinal had retweeted a message denouncing Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele for the "illicit" deportation of an innocent man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, as part of a broader criticism of MAGA’s harsh immigration policies. He also shared an article by conservative Cardinal Timothy Dalton, condemning Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and calling for Christians to see "the immigrant as a gift to our nation" and "welcome the stranger."

Pope Leo XIV's remarks make it clear that he is firmly opposed to the hate, cruelty, and bigotry often associated with the MAGA movement. As the world faces rising authoritarianism, it appears the Pope is prepared to offer strong leadership in opposing it.