Third Sunday of Easter

04-19-2026Weekly ReflectionFr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor

Dear OLP Family,

I believe that all of us are aware of and horrified at the senseless criticism President Trump levelled against Pope Leo XIV. Trump posted on Truth Social April 12 that Pope Leo was "terrible for foreign policy," and that "Leo should get his act together as Pope." Trump also wrote that the pope should be "thankful," for him:

"He wasn't on any list to be pope … …. If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican." Trump then posted an AI-generated image that was generally seen as depicting Trump as Jesus Christ himself!

The reaction was swift from all over the world – not only from Catholics but also from non-Catholics as well as world leaders. Representing the sentiments of all the US Catholics, Archbishop Paul Coakley, the President of USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) put out this statement: “I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father. Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls.”

A Protestant Pastor remarked that the Pope is “speaking truth to power” by denouncing violence and calling for peace, and Trump’s reaction “says a lot about the character of a person” when appeals for truth, justice, and peace provoke outrage.

Many political leaders across the spectrum reacted disapprovingly of the President’s unprecedented criticism. Even Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is a close ally of Trump, and very reluctant to condemn the US president's harsh criticism of Pope Leo, did say that Donald Trump's remarks about Pope Leo XIV were "unacceptable." After Trump’s social media attack, Pope Leo XIV responded with unusual candor aboard the papal flight, brushing aside political conflict and pressing ahead with his call for peace.

What are we to learn from this unfortunate and unreasonable attack on our Holy Father? I was edified by the remarks of Cardinal Fernando Chomali of Santiago, Chile: “Pope Leo XIV is a good man, forged by years of prayer, study, and closeness to the poor. [Leo] prefers to obey God rather than men. His courage comes from his deepest convictions, from God, and not from passions. We have a coherent leader who charts a path of no return for us: to promote peace always and under all circumstances.”

I was edified because that was the response of Peter and the apostles when they were faced with opposition. They were arrested and then produced before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish religious court) who tried to silence them and warned of dire consequences if they spoke in the name of Jesus. See the response of Peter and the other apostles: “We must obey God rather than men! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts of the Apostles 5:29-32).

May we all follow that example.

Your brother in Christ.