Moments after Donald Trump made the shocking claim that he had something to do with the popeโs appointment, Pope Leo spoke at a press conference and threw some subtle shade that many suggest was directed at the U.S. President.
On May 11, ABCโs Martha Raddatz was speaking live from the Vatican for a roundtable discussion onย This Weekย forย Pope Leo XIVโsย first Sunday blessing.
Joining Raddatz โ the host of the show formerly hosted by George Stephanopoulos โ wasย ABC Newsย senior national correspondent Terry Moran.
โThe question that we had was how much did the American moment with President Trump matter? Theyโre telling us not at all,โ Moran said of the historic appointment โ the first time an American has ever been chosen to lead the Catholic Church. โIt was [Prevost] that mattered.โ
โAnd thatโs what weโve been hearing this morning. It was him,โ Raddatz replied of the Chicago-born Cardinal, Robert Prevost, who was selected as pope.
The suggestion thatย Donald Trumpย wasnโt a factor in the cardinalโs decision ruffled some feathers back at the White House.
Slams the media
Seemingly reacting to the roundtable discussion, Trump shared a bizarre post onย Truth Social, where he first took a shot at Raddatz and ABC and then suggested he played a key role in Pope Leo XIVโs appointment.
โSo funny to watch old timer Martha Raditz on ABC Fake News (the Slopadopolus show!) this morning, blurt out that, effectively, Pope Leoโs selection had nothing to do with Donald Trump,โ he shared in the post shared hours after the popeโs first Sunday blessing from St. Peterโs Square.
โIt came out of nowhere, but it was on her Trump Deranged Mind. Remember, I did WIN the Catholic Vote, by a lot! Bob Iger should do something about the losers and haters heโs got on his low rated shows. Itโs time for change. MAGA!!!โ
โDeplorableโ
Shocked by Trumpโs claims, online users replied to his Truth Socialย post on X, one even calling his message โdeplorable.โ
โHow is this acceptable from the POTUS?! Deplorable,โ one user tweets.
A second shares, โIs Trump claiming he had something to do with the election of the pope. Embarrassing.โ And aย third writes, โWhat a narcissist! Trump is literally trying to take credit for Pope Leo XIV being chosen as the current Pope. Trump does realize that American Catholics have nothing to do with choosing the Pope, right?โ
โDisarm communicationโ
On May 12 โ hours after Trumpโs post made its rounds on social media โย Popeย Leo stood before reporters in Vatican City and delivered a message of peace, openness, โthe precious gift of free speech and of the press,โ and respect for the role of journalism.
โThe way we communicate is of fundamental importance: We must say โnoโ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war,โ Leo said in his Italian address to more than 1,000 journalists, perย Reuters. โLet us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us free it from aggression.โ
โWe do not need loud, forceful communication but rather communication that is capable of listening.โ
Urging the release of imprisoned journalists, the pontiff added, โThe suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations and the international community, calling on all of us to safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press.โ
Holy shade
While Pope Leo never mentioned Trump or the U.S. government by name, his message landed close to home for those familiar with Washingtonโs current communication playbook, including late-night rants loaded with personal attacks coming from POTUS.
And many online users are interpreting the pontiffโs message as a thinly-veiled response to Trumpโs latest attention-grabbing claim.
โNew Pope delivers speech that sure seems like shade at Trump,โ Tweets one user.
A second shares, โPope takes swipe at those who attack journalists โ as Trump rages about โfake news.โโ
A third comments, โWhile Trump rants about โfake newsโ and attacks journalists daily, Pope Leo strikes a blow for freedom of speech and the press!โ
After the pope ended his speech, he walked through the crowd and was asked by NewsNation correspondent Robert Sherman if he had โany messageโ to give to the U.S.
โMany,โ Pope Leo replied, padding the comment with a large smile and: โGod bless you all.โ
While Trump hasnโt officially responded to the Popeโs remarks, his Truth Social post continues to spark debate and disbelief. Vatican officials, meanwhile, seem content to leave the speculation to the media and move forward with Pope Leoโs vision of unity and open dialogue.
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