Evidence of a thaw in relations between the Trump administration and the Pope. “I am grateful to him” for saying he did not want to debate with the president: “there have been and will be real disagreements but the reality is often much more complicated”, said Vice President JD Vance trying to turn the page on a case that has raised much controversy against the White House.
Words of détente followed days of high tension between Washington and the first American Pope in history. In recent days, in fact, first Trump and then Vance himself had harshly criticized the Pontiff for his positions on Iran, attracting a barrage of criticism especially from the American Christian right which played an essential role in bringing the president back to the White House. Controversies that have put the vice president, a practicing Catholic who aspires to be the Republican candidate in the 2028 presidential elections, in difficulty.
Faith as a bridge: the Trump and Vance initiative
«Pope Leo preaches the Gospel and this means that he offers his opinions on the moral issues of the day. The entire administration is committed to applying these moral principles in a chaotic world. He will be in our prayers, and I hope we will be in his,” the vice president explained, trying to dismiss the case.
To ease tension and dampen criticism, while showing his commitment to Christian voters, Trump will recite some Bible verses from the Oval Office on Tuesday as part of the “America Reads the Bible” event. The president will read from Second Chronicles 7:11-22, which includes the popular verse 14 often quoted in the United States: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
The Iranian issue and the President’s fears
The clash between the administration and the Pope took place over Iran. The conflict is at the center of the White House’s action and agitates Trump. Despite appearing bold and aggressive, the Wall Street Journal reports, the president comes to terms with his own “fear” of sending soldiers into dangerous situations. He demonstrated this by opposing the idea of sending troops to Kharg Island even though he had been assured that the mission would be successful.
The commander-in-chief feared a bloodbath and went so far as to say that American soldiers would be “duck ducks” on the island. When the two pilots were lost in Iran, Trump – reported the Wall Street Journal – shouted for hours against his advisors, against Europe which was not helping and against the high price of petrol. He reminded everyone who approached him of what happened to Jimmy Carter in Iran during the hostage crisis. «It cost him the elections. What a disaster,” he kept repeating. After ordering the recovery of the two pilots, his advisors preferred to remove him from the decision room fearing that his style and impatience would complicate an already delicate operation.
Impulsive communication on Truth Social
Trump also appeared concerned with his advisors about some of his messages published on Truth, especially those with insults and references to Allah, none of which were part of the national security plan: all the posts – explained White House sources – were an improvisation by the president.
When some within the administration pressed him on the message about the destruction of Iranian civilization after receiving complaints from Republican senators and Christian leaders, the president explained that the reference to Allah had been his personal idea and that the aggressive style was used so that Iran would understand. But then, as a sign of hesitation, he asked: “How is it going?” Iran had branded his threat unacceptable.