- Tom Homan, who led President Trump's immigration crackdown, publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV and the Catholic Church, urging them to "stay out" of political matters, particularly immigration.
- Homan, a self-described lifelong Catholic, argued that the Vatican does not understand the realities of border security, citing atrocities like child rape and deaths, and crediting secure borders with saving lives and disrupting cartels.
- He expressed disappointment that the Church weighs in on political issues, suggesting they focus on internal problems and offering to educate them on the benefits of a secure border.
- The dispute intensified after the Pope delivered a service calling for peace and dialogue, which President Trump interpreted as a personal attack, responding with criticism and a controversial meme.
- Reactions included JD Vance defending Trump's meme as a "joke" and urging the Pope to stick to morality, while Italian PM Giorgia Meloni defended the Pope's right to speak out.
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