Influential U.S. cardinals caution against Iran war, Trump immigration policies
In a Nutshell
Influential U.S. cardinals—Blase Cupich (Chicago), Robert McElroy (Washington DC), and Joseph Tobin (Newark)—back the first American pope, Leo XIV (formerly Father Bob from Chicago), in condemning Trump's Iran war as unjust under Catholic teaching and criticizing its "gamification" on social media, while rejecting mass deportations and ICE tactics that terrorize immigrant communities. They highlight Pope Leo's calls for peace, his Palm Sunday rebuke of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's war rhetoric, and his support for migrant initiatives like the Castel Gandolfo job training center. Amid a surge in U.S. Catholic converts, the cardinals urge Catholics to prioritize human suffering over politics, with Leo planning a symbolic July 4th visit to migrant hub Lampedusa.
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President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran after world leaders called for an end to the war. One voice was Leo XIV, the first US-born pope, born Robert Pvost in Chicago, previously known as Father Bob. The 70-year-old pope is measured, deliberate, and soft-spoken but increasingly outspoken against certain US president policies. Three influential American cardinals—Cardinal Blase Cupich (Archbishop of Chicago), Cardinal Robert McElroy (Washington DC), and Cardinal Joseph Tobin (Newark, New Jersey)—discussed why Pope Leo's church opposes the war in Iran and immigration crackdown.
Pope Leo's first words: "Peace be with you." His selection surprised many, celebrated by 53 million US Catholics, the largest Christian denomination. Cardinal Cupich: "I think it's put Chicago on the map finally. But we're proud. We're proud that we produced a pope. Chicago can say that."
The three active American cardinals serving dioceses listened to anxieties about threats to peace. Cardinal: "We're the three American cardinals that are actively serving dioceses right now. So, we listen to a lot of people. It's part of the job description. And I think we're aware of the anxieties of people about the threats to peace at all different levels."
"Would you like to see this first American pope be more outspoken on issues that he disagrees with?" Response: "He's the pastor of the world. He's not a pundit. So the distinction is he's not going to pronounce on everything, but he's going to pronounce on what's important."
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