Catholic bishops, clergy, religious sisters, congressional representatives, political pundits and foreign heads of state were among those who condemned Trump's statements.

SAN DIEGO — And that, my fellow Americans, is why we can't have nice things. Because there is always going to be some vandal who tries to desecrate them. I keep thinking that a lot of what drives the friction between Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump is the fact that they're both Americans.

President Trump's recent social media attacks against Pope Leo are sparking strong reactions from local Catholics. Trump criticized the pope online after the pontiff called for peace.

Parishes and dioceses throughout the nation are taking up Pope Leo XIV's call to pray for peace, holding April 11 vigils coinciding with the pope's own at St. Peter's Basilica.

Surrounding the bed were at least four figures appearing to venerate Trump, who was framed by images of the Statue of Liberty, the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. flag, warplanes, bald eagles, and five heavenly figures in military gear.

Several cardinals and bishops in Italy, England and Scotland are among those who have recently praised Leo XIV’s calls for peace after Trump’s criticism.

Catholic visitors at the Vatican reacted critically to Donald Trump’s recent comments about the pope, with several describing his remarks as inappropriate and out of touch.

During his 13-year pontificate, Pope Francis made the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the washing of feet into one of its distinct hallmarks. Instead of celebrating Mass at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, he often visited prisons, where he washed the feet of the underprivileged and celebrated Mass for them.