In a striking departure from party loyalty, Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana has publicly condemned what he termed Donald Trump's "holy war" against Pope Leo XIV. The senator, a longtime supporter of Trump and the ultraconservative Maga movement, voiced his criticism during a Fox News interview on Saturday, April 13, 2026, as he arrived at the US Capitol building for a vote in Washington DC.
A Loyalist's Unusual Rebuke
Kennedy, who has consistently backed Trump's agenda, expressed his disagreement with the president's escalating feud with the pontiff. "I love the president like a taco," Kennedy stated, employing an unusual phrase that has drawn attention given critics' use of "taco" as an acronym for "Trump always chickens out." He elaborated, "I don't always agree with him, but I think he wants a better world. However, I don't agree with him about this new holy war with the pope."
Methodist Senator Distances Himself from Catholic Controversy
The senator, who is Methodist rather than Catholic, emphasized his religious background during the interview, possibly to distinguish himself from Democratic President John F. Kennedy, the nation's first Catholic commander-in-chief. According to his official biography, Kennedy and his wife founded their local church chapter, underscoring his religious involvement.
"I have great respect for Catholicism," Kennedy asserted, suggesting that Pope Leo should be "entitled to his opinion." He questioned the rationale behind the conflict, asking, "Why do we want to have a fight with the pope? It's a distraction. And the press just sucks it up like a Hoover Deluxe vacuum cleaner."
Background of the Trump-Pope Feud
Kennedy's comments come amid a days-long dispute between Trump and Pope Leo XIV concerning the US-Israel war against Iran. Two weeks prior, the pope responded to Trump's threat that "a whole civilization will die" in Iran if the country did not end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Leo called Trump's remarks "truly unacceptable," noted that "attacks on civilian infrastructure are against international law," and urged Americans to contact Congress to advocate for peace.
In a Truth Social post last Sunday, Trump retaliated by labeling Pope Leo "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy." The president added, "I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon," despite the pope having previously spoken out against "the profound horrors wrought by nuclear weapons."
AI Jesus Post and Religious Right Dynamics
The controversy has intensified with Trump's recent posting of an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ, which even some Christian supporters denounced as blasphemous. Meanwhile, Trump has repeatedly praised Pope Leo XIV's eldest brother, Louis Prevost, an avid Trump supporter residing in Florida.
Vice President JD Vance, who recently converted to Catholicism and has a forthcoming book on the subject, defended Trump amid growing anger among Christian voters. When asked about Trump's attacks on the pope, Vance advised, "Stick to matters of, you know, what's going on in the Catholic church, and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy."
Pope's Response and Political Implications
Pope Leo told reporters on Saturday that he has no intention of engaging in a back-and-forth debate with Trump but noted he has "no fear" of the Trump administration. Kennedy's criticism highlights internal Republican tensions as Trump tests his relationship with the religious right during this feud, potentially impacting his support base ahead of future political maneuvers.
