Pope Leo’s Comments On Trump, Vance, and Hegseth Stir Debate

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00:00Pope Leo's comments on Trump, Vance, and Hegseth stir debate.

00:04The leader of the Catholic Church stepped into political waters again this week,

00:08as U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV condemned anti-immigrant sentiment and a sharper Pentagon tone.

00:15Hours earlier, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth urged preparing not for defense, but for war,

00:21favoring overwhelming and punishing violence, and to untie the hands of our warfighters.

00:26Speaking in Italian, the pontiff called Hegseth's words worrying, noting the title shift to

00:31Secretary of War and warning that rising tensions are dangerous, even if only a way of speaking.

00:37His timing and tone are drawing attention.

00:40He also faced questions about Cardinal Blase Kupic's plan to honor Senator Dick Durbin,

00:45whose long pro-choice record angered many.

00:47Durbin declined, but the debate remains open.

00:51Leo said he was not terribly familiar with Durbin's case,

00:53and urged looking at the overall work of a person, signaling a broader lens on legacy.

00:59Then he challenged a contradiction among some self-identified pro-life figures,

01:04opposing abortion while backing the death penalty or harsh treatment of immigrants,

01:08arguing that pro-life means consistency.

01:11Someone who says,

01:12I am against abortion, but says,

01:15I am in favor of the death penalty,

01:17is not really pro-life, Leo said.

01:20Someone who says,

01:22I am against abortion,

01:24but I agree with the inhuman treatment of immigrants who are in the United States.

01:27I don't know if that's pro-life.

01:29The remarks drew quick attention,

01:31given policies of former President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance,

01:36both vocal pro-lifers who back stricter immigration and expanded death penalty use.

01:41The comments are already stirring debate online and in Catholic circles,

01:45with some applauding the Pope's full-spectrum view of life issues,

01:48and others calling his comparison unfair and politically loaded.

01:52Leo's message raises unresolved questions about the role of Catholic teaching in public policy,

01:57and whether leaders can fully align with church doctrine in a divided America.

02:01With a U.S.-born Pope unafraid to address American politics,

02:06these debates are here to stay.