I am really happy that we have a new pope that is from America. Knowing that we have an American Pope means a lot to me.
I’m Lutheran. To me, there is a difference between being spiritual and religious. I worry about America’s lack of spiritual guidance in America and having lack d spiritual leaders. I am not talking about the “Joel Osteen, evangelical” garbage. I’m talking about real legit spiritual leadership.
Only time will tell how well Pope Leo will do. But reading about him and hearing about him is bringing me a lot of hope. And I hope Michelle is feeling a lot of peace right now. I get it. I was worried about the same thing she was worried about.
Pope Leo was born September 14 1955. He will be 70 later this year.
I know there are interpretations on what that choice means, but to me, Leo is Latin for lion. A lion is very protective of its cubs (children). Pope Leo has already declared that all people, no matter of sex, religion, heritage, or other, are children of God. I.e. he will fight to protect all people.
An American Pope is what America needs, I'm pleased for the people that this has happened.
I have followed this nightmare since 2016 from London UK and the sooner trump et al go to prison, the better. Me? I can't wait, America has had enough of this Con Artist and so have I. Been reading trump has done a trade deal with us.. I can hardly believe it.
Yes we do have different laws here, Ken. I can't imagine giving our prime minister unrestrained immunity, however the Tories did a good job of this for the past 14 years!
Is this the trade deal with the UK? Nooo I'm not glad at all, WTH did we do a trade deal with that monster, what on earth did we expect to gain?
Yes, the US did a 'trade deal' with the UK, but not for the pharmaceuticals that come from the UK, and which are the second biggest import from the UK. Billionaires will be comforted to know their Land Rovers, Jaguars, etc., will not be subject to usurious tariffs, but the average US citizen can continue to choose between rent and medicine.
I'm just listening to the Meidas Touch podcast and apparently, no trade deals have been done because they have to pass Congress. It's trump andhis whatnots who say it's a trade deal!
CBS reported Thursday at 3pm that rich Roman Catholics from the US are writing a check for 15 million as long as that does not go to the lawsuits over priest abuses . By Friday, it will come. The pick Pope Leo XIV born in the United States , and served in Peru , I think was the best choice for the papal . 108 out of 133 were made cardinals by pope Francis so the odds of
the choice to succeed him was going high. The church still needs to sell 100 plus churches , the roman catholic churches around me are not even 1/4 filled but can hold 1ks of people .
Globally there are 1.3 billion followers the vatican. Pope Francis still did not fix all of the finacial
problems of the church , it is on decline because of the corruption , sex abuse , people did not want to give to the church for the lawsuits. Church instead of getting rid of the priests they moved them around , Jesus said that who needs god the most is the imperfect . who needs the most help is #POTUS DJT Trump is a lier , corrupt , con man , immoral, and he commands other people do his bidding , the Nuremberg trials what happened to those people?
I think the Cardinals are also challenging America. They are showing we have people who can lead with kindness, respect, and empathy. We need to find them and embrace them.
MAGA Tried to Buy the Papacy—And Got Righteously Rejected
MAGA’s Vatican coup just collapsed in full view of the world.
After flooding Rome with donors, dangling a $1 billion bribe, and deploying smear campaigns against progressive cardinals, the Trump wing of American Catholicism aimed to hijack the Church. They didn’t want a spiritual leader—they wanted a culture war general in robes. What they got instead was Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago-born reformer (and dual citizen of Peru) who embodies everything Trumpism detests: humility, inclusion, and moral courage.
The contrast couldn’t be starker.
While MAGA’s preferred candidate would have gladly sanctified nationalism and bigotry, Leo XIV opened his papacy by declaring:
“We must seek together to be a missionary church… that is always open, like this piazza, to receive with open arms everyone—everyone—who needs our charity, our presence, our dialogue, and love.”
That’s not just a message—it’s a direct rebuke to the “us vs. them” poison that Trump and his clerical cronies have injected into public life.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Trump’s favorite cardinal, and groups like the Napa Institute threw lavish dinners, peddled influence, and tried to tilt the scales of the conclave. But even their billion-dollar blitz couldn’t stop the College of Cardinals from choosing someone committed to building bridges, not walls.
Pope Leo XIV amplified this stinging truth:
“Help me build those bridges to unite as a single people always in peace. Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
MAGA did everything in its power to buy the keys to St. Peter’s. Instead, they got a pope who padlocked the door.
tRumps not done yet. Think: "Vatican City" and "52nd state". After all, how many divisions does the pope have? I'll bet they don't have a single stealth fighter or bomber.
2025 POPE LEO XIV Has 1.3 billion followers, Vatican City is sovereign , it governs itself. the pope may not have nuclear missiles , or major defenses at its disposal but it has things like faith ,hope ,and love . PEOPLE know it has dirty laundry , but when they are down , and out who do they pray too! Who do they count on to solve their problems. GOD , JESUS !
I will echo Mr Rosenberg below... let's take a deep breath... The Pope is not alone, he's just the head of the whole thing. The influence of the Church has been waning... If the new Pope is really free to make decisions, they will listen to some of the more progressive theologians... like those who followed the Swiss Hans Küng, who suggested that the Church should give up that celibacy nonsense...
In fact, we should take a deep breath everyday and think "Should I get up on my hind legs and react to the latest Trump distraction?
Seriously, I don't envy Leo. I suspect that the Church was saying less about "peace and love" and more about the long-time slide of Catholicism in the US. It began with birth control--specifically the Pill--got accelerated by Roe v Wade, and went into overdrive with the abuse scandal. People at the time liked to overlook that JPII was reportedly mystified at the intense negative reaction of American Catholics, particularly parents, and the Church never really regained its momentum.
If they think that somehow everything will change because of an American pope, I think they are going to be mistaken after the first 6 months or so.
Also, if "some" people (i.e. progressives) think that this means women will be ordained as priests, or even deacons...same result!
Let's take a breath or a prayer before fitting Pope Leo into a political box. Similar to politicians shifting stances after gaining power, I understand Popes' views can evolve upon assuming office. I believe Pope Francis, for instance, held more traditionally conservative views before his papacy.
I am more familiar with politicians adjusting positions as they run for office or run for higher office. Like the Supreme Pontiff, politicians' priorities and ideologies may adapt with increased authority and wider constituencies.
Our President, as I first read in Amanda Carpenter's book, will take credit for things he had nothing to do with. I await the Democrats response.
Notwithstanding this caution, this is one non-Catholic who is hopeful.
Thanks Jennifer. If you wish to share more, please doI assume it is because initial observations have him holding political positions closer to Francis. It is so early that it may be premature to reach a conclusion, which was one of the points I was trying to make. On another Substack, I wrote that knowing Trump‘s history of taking credit for things he had nothing to do with, he would try to take credit for this American pope.
I am really happy that we have a new pope that is from America. Knowing that we have an American Pope means a lot to me.
I’m Lutheran. To me, there is a difference between being spiritual and religious. I worry about America’s lack of spiritual guidance in America and having lack d spiritual leaders. I am not talking about the “Joel Osteen, evangelical” garbage. I’m talking about real legit spiritual leadership.
Only time will tell how well Pope Leo will do. But reading about him and hearing about him is bringing me a lot of hope. And I hope Michelle is feeling a lot of peace right now. I get it. I was worried about the same thing she was worried about.
Beautiful Julie!!!! Love you guys SO MUCH!!! THANK YOU 💙💙💙
Thanks for watching!
Pope Leo was born September 14 1955. He will be 70 later this year.
I know there are interpretations on what that choice means, but to me, Leo is Latin for lion. A lion is very protective of its cubs (children). Pope Leo has already declared that all people, no matter of sex, religion, heritage, or other, are children of God. I.e. he will fight to protect all people.
MARK! I'm not Catholic.
An American Pope is what America needs, I'm pleased for the people that this has happened.
I have followed this nightmare since 2016 from London UK and the sooner trump et al go to prison, the better. Me? I can't wait, America has had enough of this Con Artist and so have I. Been reading trump has done a trade deal with us.. I can hardly believe it.
I suppose they have different laws in the UK. Here, when SCOTUS says that a president has virtually unrestrained immunity, that means no prison.
And, aren't you glad that American $billionaires will continue to be able to purchase $500k Rolls-Royces without having to pay an additional tariff?
The $billionaires sure are!
Yes we do have different laws here, Ken. I can't imagine giving our prime minister unrestrained immunity, however the Tories did a good job of this for the past 14 years!
Is this the trade deal with the UK? Nooo I'm not glad at all, WTH did we do a trade deal with that monster, what on earth did we expect to gain?
Damn Brexit!
Yes, the US did a 'trade deal' with the UK, but not for the pharmaceuticals that come from the UK, and which are the second biggest import from the UK. Billionaires will be comforted to know their Land Rovers, Jaguars, etc., will not be subject to usurious tariffs, but the average US citizen can continue to choose between rent and medicine.
I'm just listening to the Meidas Touch podcast and apparently, no trade deals have been done because they have to pass Congress. It's trump andhis whatnots who say it's a trade deal!
CBS reported Thursday at 3pm that rich Roman Catholics from the US are writing a check for 15 million as long as that does not go to the lawsuits over priest abuses . By Friday, it will come. The pick Pope Leo XIV born in the United States , and served in Peru , I think was the best choice for the papal . 108 out of 133 were made cardinals by pope Francis so the odds of
the choice to succeed him was going high. The church still needs to sell 100 plus churches , the roman catholic churches around me are not even 1/4 filled but can hold 1ks of people .
Globally there are 1.3 billion followers the vatican. Pope Francis still did not fix all of the finacial
problems of the church , it is on decline because of the corruption , sex abuse , people did not want to give to the church for the lawsuits. Church instead of getting rid of the priests they moved them around , Jesus said that who needs god the most is the imperfect . who needs the most help is #POTUS DJT Trump is a lier , corrupt , con man , immoral, and he commands other people do his bidding , the Nuremberg trials what happened to those people?
I think the Cardinals are also challenging America. They are showing we have people who can lead with kindness, respect, and empathy. We need to find them and embrace them.
MAGA Tried to Buy the Papacy—And Got Righteously Rejected
MAGA’s Vatican coup just collapsed in full view of the world.
After flooding Rome with donors, dangling a $1 billion bribe, and deploying smear campaigns against progressive cardinals, the Trump wing of American Catholicism aimed to hijack the Church. They didn’t want a spiritual leader—they wanted a culture war general in robes. What they got instead was Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago-born reformer (and dual citizen of Peru) who embodies everything Trumpism detests: humility, inclusion, and moral courage.
The contrast couldn’t be starker.
While MAGA’s preferred candidate would have gladly sanctified nationalism and bigotry, Leo XIV opened his papacy by declaring:
“We must seek together to be a missionary church… that is always open, like this piazza, to receive with open arms everyone—everyone—who needs our charity, our presence, our dialogue, and love.”
That’s not just a message—it’s a direct rebuke to the “us vs. them” poison that Trump and his clerical cronies have injected into public life.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Trump’s favorite cardinal, and groups like the Napa Institute threw lavish dinners, peddled influence, and tried to tilt the scales of the conclave. But even their billion-dollar blitz couldn’t stop the College of Cardinals from choosing someone committed to building bridges, not walls.
Pope Leo XIV amplified this stinging truth:
“Help me build those bridges to unite as a single people always in peace. Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
MAGA did everything in its power to buy the keys to St. Peter’s. Instead, they got a pope who padlocked the door.
Subscribe » @Open Letters by Mersault
Beautiful, thank you 💙
tRumps not done yet. Think: "Vatican City" and "52nd state". After all, how many divisions does the pope have? I'll bet they don't have a single stealth fighter or bomber.
It’s 2025 and we’re still talking about fucking Popes! TIME TO EVOLVE PEOPLE!
2025 POPE LEO XIV Has 1.3 billion followers, Vatican City is sovereign , it governs itself. the pope may not have nuclear missiles , or major defenses at its disposal but it has things like faith ,hope ,and love . PEOPLE know it has dirty laundry , but when they are down , and out who do they pray too! Who do they count on to solve their problems. GOD , JESUS !
NOT YOU!
No, they don't do that; they're celibate.
I will echo Mr Rosenberg below... let's take a deep breath... The Pope is not alone, he's just the head of the whole thing. The influence of the Church has been waning... If the new Pope is really free to make decisions, they will listen to some of the more progressive theologians... like those who followed the Swiss Hans Küng, who suggested that the Church should give up that celibacy nonsense...
In fact, we should take a deep breath everyday and think "Should I get up on my hind legs and react to the latest Trump distraction?
Love it!
Julie, you missed the biggest insult to tRump: they didn't name HIM!!
Seriously, I don't envy Leo. I suspect that the Church was saying less about "peace and love" and more about the long-time slide of Catholicism in the US. It began with birth control--specifically the Pill--got accelerated by Roe v Wade, and went into overdrive with the abuse scandal. People at the time liked to overlook that JPII was reportedly mystified at the intense negative reaction of American Catholics, particularly parents, and the Church never really regained its momentum.
If they think that somehow everything will change because of an American pope, I think they are going to be mistaken after the first 6 months or so.
Also, if "some" people (i.e. progressives) think that this means women will be ordained as priests, or even deacons...same result!
Let's take a breath or a prayer before fitting Pope Leo into a political box. Similar to politicians shifting stances after gaining power, I understand Popes' views can evolve upon assuming office. I believe Pope Francis, for instance, held more traditionally conservative views before his papacy.
I am more familiar with politicians adjusting positions as they run for office or run for higher office. Like the Supreme Pontiff, politicians' priorities and ideologies may adapt with increased authority and wider constituencies.
Our President, as I first read in Amanda Carpenter's book, will take credit for things he had nothing to do with. I await the Democrats response.
Notwithstanding this caution, this is one non-Catholic who is hopeful.
The reason non-Catholics are hopeful is the exact reason practicing Catholics are upset by the choice.
Thanks Jennifer. If you wish to share more, please doI assume it is because initial observations have him holding political positions closer to Francis. It is so early that it may be premature to reach a conclusion, which was one of the points I was trying to make. On another Substack, I wrote that knowing Trump‘s history of taking credit for things he had nothing to do with, he would try to take credit for this American pope.