What Next - Trump Vs The Pope

This episode of Slate's 'What Next' explores the growing ideological rift between Pope Leo, the first American pope in modern history, and the Trump administration, particularly during Holy Week 2026. As the Vatican delivered a series of pointed messages against war, militarism, and the use of religion to justify violence—most notably in a Palm Sunday homily where the Pope declared God rejects the prayers of those who wage war—Trump and his allies, including Vice President J.D. Vance and pastor Paula White, doubled down on religious rhetoric, likening Trump to Jesus and framing the Iran conflict as a spiritual battle. The episode examines how Pope Leo, while initially cautious and structured in his papacy, has increasingly used his platform to advocate for peace, immigration reform, and social justice, positioning himself as a moral counterweight to Trumpism. Despite the Vatican's efforts to engage the U.S. administration diplomatically, there has been no direct communication with Trump, underscoring a deepening disconnect. The episode also delves into the broader cultural and political struggle within American Catholicism, where conservative figures like Vance are attempting to assert an alternative vision of Catholic identity, even as surveys show most American Catholics are more concerned with tradition and community than political alignment. Ultimately, the episode frames Pope Leo’s papacy as a long-term project of unity and institutional reshaping, aimed at correcting what he sees as a misalignment between U.S. Catholic leadership and the values of the faithful.