TN, US Bishops' Statement in Response to President's Criticism of Pope Leo XIV
TN, US Bishops' Statement in Response to President's Criticism of Pope Leo XIV
April 13, 2026
In moments of public tension, the Church is called to remain rooted in truth, charity, and prayer. We wish to share several recent statements from the Diocese of Knoxville and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding public criticism directed toward Pope Leo XIV. These statements reaffirm the Church’s mission to speak from the Gospel with clarity, dignity, and fidelity.
On April 13, 2026, the bishops of Tennessee — Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville, Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis, and Bishop Mark Beckman of Knoxville — together with the Tennessee Catholic Conference, released a joint statement in response to criticism of Pope Leo XIV. In that statement, they affirm that Catholic leaders do not speak as partisans, but from the moral teaching of the Church, and that it is appropriate for the Holy Father to speak clearly on matters of life, death, war, and peace.
On April 12, 2026, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, also issued a response, emphasizing that the pope is not a political rival, but the Vicar of Christ, who speaks from the Gospel and for the care of souls.
The USCCB also shared additional reporting on April 13, 2026, noting that Pope Leo XIV declined to engage in political conflict and instead continued his call for peace, reconciliation, and mutual respect.
We invite you to read the full statements here:
- Diocese of Knoxville:
https://dioknox.org/news/bishops-of-tennessee-statement-in-response-to-presidents-criticism-of-pope
- USCCB – Archbishop Coakley’s response:
https://www.usccb.org/news/2026/archbishop-coakleys-response-president-trumps-social-media-post-pope-leo-xiv
- USCCB – Additional report on Pope Leo’s continued plea for peace:
https://www.usccb.org/news/2026/following-trumps-critical-post-pope-leo-continues-his-plea-peace
Statement from the Tennessee Catholic Conference and the Bishops of Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville
April 13, 2026
On April 13 the three bishops of Tennessee — Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville, Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis, and Bishop Mark Beckman of Knoxville— along with the Tennessee Catholic Conference, released a joint statement in response to President Trump's recent criticism of Pope Leo XIV. The statement can be read below:
When Catholic leaders engage in dialogue in the public square, they do so with the understanding that no political party encompasses the fullness of our teaching. They do not choose sides as politicians, but rather express clear moral principles.
In the long tradition of popes speaking against war, including Pope Paul VI addressing the United Nations in 1965, it is entirely appropriate that Pope Leo comment from the truth of Jesus’ teaching in the Gospels on life and death matters that affect souls.
Most Rev. J. Mark Spalding, Bishop of Nashville
Most Rev. David P. Talley, Bishop of Memphis
Most Rev. Mark Beckman, Bishop of Knoxville
Rick Musacchio, Tennessee Catholic Conference
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