Chicago's Father Pfleger defends Pope Leo against attacks by Trump, speaks out on war in Iran

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Faith leaders in Chicago are standing with Pope Leo in his calls for peace after he was criticized by President Donald Trump.

Father Michael Pfleger of Saint Sabina Church vociferously defended Pope Leo on Sunday, while also continuing to speak out against the war in Iran, which he says has led to some in his congregation no longer being able to afford the drive to work.

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With Congressman Jonathan Jackson standing alongside him and his congregants behind him in support on Sunday, St. Sabina's Father Pfleger blasted President Trump and other administration officials for their attacks this past week on Pope Leo.

"The Pope has made it clear. He's not a political person making political comments," Pfleger said. "He is quoting the scriptures. Blessed are the peacemakers."

Congressman Jackson also spoke out against the war.

"Diesel fuel is $10 a gallon in California," Rep. Jackson said. "People in our own district right here are suffering."

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Pfleger's comments came on the first Sunday morning following President Trump's out-of-the-blue social media post last weekend criticizing the American-born pontiff for his opposition to the war in Iran. Over the last week, with Pope Leo on tour in Africa, the friction between both men has appeared to escalate as the pope spoke out against tyrants around the world.

Speaking to reporters Saturday, the pontiff tried to diffuse the situation.

"The talk that I gave at the prayer meeting for peace a couple of days ago was prepared two weeks ago, well before the president ever commented on myself and on the message of peace that I'm promoting," Pope Leo said. "It was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not my interest at all."

His comments led fellow Catholic Vice President JD Vance to apparently back down from his own criticism of the pope just a few days ago, saying on X, "Pope Leo preaches the gospel, as he should, and that will inevitably mean he offers his opinions on the moral issues of the day... He will be in our prayers, and I hope that we'll be in his."

The pope is saying he will continue to preach the gospel and its message of peace. He was in Angola on Sunday, a country where half the population is Catholic.