As Pope Leo XIV marks his first year as the first American pontiff, Americans have expressed widespread approval of his progressive leadership and willingness to challenge Donald Trump. The 70-year-old pope, who was elected a year ago, has been described as a “breath of fresh air” compared to more conservative predecessors.
Brock Horton, a retired teacher from Texas, praised the pope as “authentic” and not a “mouthpiece for a failing religion”. He added that the pope’s defiance of Trump was a bonus, referring to recent attacks by the US president. Trump criticised the pope after he condemned the US-Israel war on Iran, accusing the pontiff of “endangering a lot of Catholics”. Pope Leo dismissed the remarks, stating he was “not afraid of the Trump administration”.
Kelly Raghavan, a medical interpreter in California, hailed the pope’s outspokenness against what she called a “bigoted tyrant”. Chris Kell, an interfaith minister from Minnesota, commended the pope’s measured approach, saying he is “strong enough, savvy enough, and more than intelligent enough to stand up to Trump without resorting to personal attacks”.
Joyce, a retired business owner from New Jersey, recalled the “electrifying” atmosphere in Vatican City when Pope Leo was elected. She noted that even Republicans she spoke to were surprised that a US president would attack the first American pope in over 1,600 years. A social worker from Colorado described the pope’s criticism of violence as appropriate, calling Trump’s response “absurd denialism”.
A Presbyterian educator from Texas said the pope is “doing God’s work” and leading by example, urging others to follow his example of treating everyone with dignity. Skywalker Payne, a former Catholic now Buddhist in Alaska, called the pope a “divine blessing”, noting his Chicago roots and the significance of a Black woman supporting him.
