Pope Leo XIV has appointed three new bishops who have previously voiced criticism of the Trump administration or its supporters, escalating an ongoing feud with the White House. The pontiff has openly condemned President Donald Trump's military actions in Iran, describing threats to obliterate Iranian civilisation as "truly unacceptable." In response, President Trump has labelled Pope Leo as "weak on crime."
New Bishops and Their Stances
One of the appointees, Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, a formerly undocumented immigrant, has spoken out against President Trump's stringent immigration policies. Another, Robert Boxie III, has criticised efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes, which the Trump administration sought to cut. The third bishop, Gary Studniewski, condemned the supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, describing the event as "very disturbing."
These appointments come amid heightened tensions between the Vatican and the White House, with Pope Leo continuing to challenge the administration on multiple fronts.
