The Catholic bishops of the state of Chihuahua are standing in support of Pope Leo XIV following U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of the pontiff for his opposition to the war in Iran.
Trump’s attacks on social media come as the president has shared AI-generated images depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure and other religious imagery, criticized by many Christians as “blasphemous.”
“It is the task not only of the Pope, but of the entire Church, to be proclaimers and builders of peace,” the Ecclesiastical Province of Chihuahua said in a statement on Tuesday, April 14. A province consists of an archdiocese and several dioceses.
The bishops “stand in solidarity with him (Pope Leo) in the face of the criticism he has received, certain that such adversity is the Gospel sign of the fulfillment of his mission,” the bishops said in the statement.
Since elected in 2025 as the first pope from the United States, Pope Leo “has not ceased to call for dialogue, reconciliation, and an end to the wars we are experiencing in different parts of the world,” the bishops’ statement read.
“We invite the faithful community to pray fervently to Jesus, Prince of Peace, that he may move the wills of those who have the power to end wars, so that the peace of the Risen Jesus may shine forth clearly in a new humanity.”
The statement was issued by:
The U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops, which represents Catholic bishops in the U.S., also expressed its backing of Pope Leo XIV’s remarks on the Iran war and an apparent rebuff of Vice President JD Vance’s admonishment that the pope “be careful when he talks about matters of theology.”
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Chihuahua bishops support Pope Leo XIV against Trump’s criticism
Reporting by Daniel Borunda, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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