The “Liberal” Leo

April 13, 2026

I found it interesting that this morning’s New York Times chose Trump’s feud with Pope Leo as its leading headline while wars continue to rage around the world, gas prices rise, stock markets fall, and Viktor Orban actually concedes defeat in Hungary. Wish I could ask the editors’ reasoning behind that. Maybe it’s because who is pope is one thing that Donald Trump cannot control, and that must drive him crazy.

Personally, like Pope Leo, I don’t care what Trump thinks of the current pontiff. Trump posted on Truth Social that “I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States.” Well, guess what? Most of the world doesn’t want Donald Trump to be the President of the United States. So welcome to our reality, Mr. Trump. But the reason for this post is not to focus on Trump’s frequent three-year old tantrums, but rather on the plight of clergy today who, every Sunday, face the accusations of being “too liberal” and “bringing politics into the pulpit.” I know because as an ordained Presbyterian USA minister, I am one of them.

I chose to retire early in 2020 after making it through the first Trump term. I was exhausted and disillusioned with trying to preach the message of Jesus Christ—self-sacrifice, love, inclusion, service, unity, humility, compassion—and then witnessing what many of my congregants, and others who claim to be Christian, were posting on social media. I was concerned about being true to the Gospel while trying not to offend those who “think differently.” And, frankly, I was tired of being accused as “liberal” when, in fact, I was preaching the words of Jesus Christ, right there in scripture in black and white, not my own. I feel confident that the text in my bible was no different from anyone else’s.

But here’s the point: I am NOT alone. Mainline ministers (Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, etc.) are leaving the pulpit in droves because they can no longer preach the Gospel, be true to Christ and to themselves, and keep their positions. Unless we are fortunate enough to minister in a progressive church (which are few and far between), we walk a weekly tightrope of trying to be true to Christ and holding the church together. And what happens if we don’t? We either lose our positions or the church splits. It’s untenable. One of my pastor friends lost eight members of her church when she didn’t pray for Charlie Kirk after his murder. She didn’t pray for him because she, like many of us, had no idea who he was! Charlie Kirk or Christ. That’s where we are.

So, kudos to Pope Leo who is neither “liberal” nor “a politician.” Kudos to a powerful man who says, “I have no fear of the Trump Administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do.” Yes, if we are Christians, it is what we are all here to do. And if you’ve been misled by what that message is, if you turn away from the hypocrisy of so-called “Christians,” please let me tell you what is NOT Christian behavior or belief:

• Slander, lies, and falsehoods;
• Hate and bigotry;
• Anger and vengeance;
• Power used for self-gain;
• Manipulation, pride, and boasting;
• Killing;
• Putting oneself (or country) first;
• Selfishness and greed;
• Inhospitality;
• Lack of care for the least of these;
• Apathy.

Now, please let me tell you what the Christian message actually IS:

• Love God (however you conceive God to be);
• Love your neighbor (the one who is different from you) in whatever ways you can;
• Love yourself (because you are unique and valuable).

Easy to do? No. Clear enough? Yes.

Whether we are Christian or not, living from a place of love, of respect, of mutuality, of care is what we are all called to do because we live in community. It is also the strongest action of resistance to the evils of this world. Pope Leo is living that role and there’s nothing Trump can do about that.

Still here,

Rosemary

Photo credit: The Vatican