Border czar Tom Homan said Roman Catholic Church leaders should "stay out of politics" when questioned about President Donald Trump criticizing Pope Leo XIV.
"I love the Catholic Church. I just wish they'd stick to fixing the Church, because there's issues. I know because I'm a member. And stay out of politics,
Homan said.
Homan, a Catholic, commented after Trump initiated a direct, personal denunciation of Pope Leo, escalated it publicly, and doubled down in media appearances. Pope Leo responded briefly and calmly, declining to engage in debate and reframing his remarks as moral teaching rather than rebuttal.
Trump had called the pontiff "weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy."
Homan said he wished Church leaders would sit down with him to understand his experiences as border czar.
"Maybe they'd understand why a secure border saves lives. A secure border's the most humane thing this country can do," Homan said.
More Catholic bishops respond
Several American Catholic bishops have responded to Trump's criticism, defending Pope Leo XIV.
Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez defended Leo's role in preaching "the Gospel of peace."
"Pope Leo XIV has consistently spoken with clarity and compassion with calls for peaceful resolutions to complex challenges in a manner that upholds the sanctity and dignity of all human life as our world continues to be afflicted with division, conflict, and suffering," he said. "Both the pope and his message deserve respect and admiration."
Earlier, Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, called Trump's comments "disrespectful" and urged the president to apologize. U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops president Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City said he was "disheartened" by the comments.
Archbishop Mark S. Rivituso of Mobile, Alabama, said in a statement posted to social media that he echoes the views Coakley expressed and added that he affirms the pope's role "as a spiritual leader who speaks from the Gospel and for the care of souls."
"I encourage all the faithful to be one with the Holy Father in praying for and witnessing to the Gospel of Christ's peace and care for all peoples," he said. "I ask for all to pray for our president and all in public office to work for a greater peace and justice in our world."
