Category: Diocese of Scranton News

SCRANTON – The Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Scranton is hosting an online art auction through May 1, featuring more than 20 original paintings of local Catholic churches and sacred spaces.

Proceeds from the auction, which launched on April 13, will benefit the “Founders Fund” of the Catholic Foundation and support the long-term pastoral, educational, and service ministries of the Diocese of Scranton.

The online auction showcases a collection of artwork generously donated by artist and philanthropist Austin Burke of Archbald.

Burke, a longtime community leader and former President of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, has spent the past year painting some of the most iconic church buildings in northeastern and north central Pennsylvania.

“I feel blessed. God has given me some talent, and I feel privileged to be able to use it in this way,” Burke said.

Each piece reflects not only architectural beauty but the deeper role of parish life.

“A church is where humanity encounters God,” Burke noted. “Not only do you encounter God there, but you meet your community there.”

A preview of several paintings was displayed earlier this year during a Bishop’s reception, drawing admiration from parishioners and benefactors alike.

Mark DiPippa, Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Scranton, said the auction is both a celebration of faith and an investment in the future.

“We are deeply grateful to Austin for sharing his extraordinary talent in such a meaningful way,” DiPippa said. “His commitment to his faith and his dedication to the mission of the Catholic Foundation are clearly reflected in each of these works. Through this generous gift, he is helping to strengthen the future of the Church of Scranton while celebrating the beauty and heritage of our parishes.”

The paintings available are:

• Annunciation Church, Williamsport
• Cathedral of St. Peter, Scranton
• Epiphany Church, Sayre
• Resurrection Church, Muncy
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Mayfield
• Sacred Heart of Mary Church, Jermyn
• St. Ann Basilica and Grotto, Scranton
• St. Catherine of Siena Church, Moscow
• St. John the Evangelist Church, Honesdale
• St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston
• St. Jude Church, Mountain Top
• St. Luke Church, Stroudsburg
• St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, Eynon
• St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Dunmore
• St. Mary of Vilna Church, Eynon
• St. Matthew Church, East Stroudsburg
• St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre
• St. Patrick Church, Scranton
• St. Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale
• St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Archbald
• Basilica of Padre Pio, Italy
• Cathedral Prayer Garden, Scranton
• Marian Chapel at Marywood University
• Angel of Agonies Statue, Scranton

Bidding information and a full gallery of artwork is available on the Diocese of Scranton website (dioceseofscranton.org) and the Catholic Foundation website (catholicfoundationscranton.org).

SCRANTON – All of the pews were filled at Divine Mercy Parish on April 12, 2026, as hundreds of faithful gathered to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday through prayer and devotion.

The annual celebration – held on the Second Sunday of Easter – has grown in recent years, drawing people from across Lackawanna and Luzerne counties and beyond for an afternoon centered on God’s forgiveness and grace.

The annual observance included the Sacrament of Confession, Mass, the praying of the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, Eucharistic Adoration, a procession with the Blessed Sacrament and the veneration of a first-class relic of Saint Faustina.

“We are very honored, proud and grateful here at Divine Mercy Parish to host everyone for this beautiful spiritual celebration,” Father Paul McDonnell, O.S.J., Pastor of Divine Mercy Parish, said. “How beautiful it was to see our church filled to capacity – and everyone praying and celebrating that great gift that the world needs – the gift of God’s love.”

Six priests were available for Confession for more than two hours, offering what Father McDonnell described as “a grace and a blessing” to those in attendance.

For the faithful, the experience was deeply moving.

“I can’t tell you the feeling that I am leaving with,” Erin Thornton of Corpus Christi Parish, said. “It brought tears to my eyes. It was so moving. More people need to see something like this.”

Many said the Eucharistic procession was especially powerful.

“It leaves me speechless when he walks around with the Blessed Sacrament,” Thornton added.

Mary Ann Lahaszow of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Duryea said the day was filled with a profound sense of peace and unity.

“You could feel God’s presence,” she said. “There were so many people from so many different walks of life. It’s wonderful to feel this peace.”

For parishioner Pat Rodney, the devotion to Divine Mercy – though discovered later in life – has become deeply meaningful.

“The devotion is something that is new to me,” she said. “But I love the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the promises of Jesus … It was a beautiful part of the day.”

Father McDonnell hopes that the faithful left not only with a sense of the Lord’s mercy personally, but a desire to share it with others.

“Hopefully everyone will be energized enough to embrace the merciful spirit of Christ,” he said, “and live it in their homes, families and lives.”

PITTSTON – At the Easter Vigil Mass inside Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Sky Nicholson stood before a packed church, nervous but filled with anticipation.

“I have always had a relationship with God, but I was a bit hesitant to pursue that relationship,” she said. “I’m sorry that I waited this long.”

Sky Nicholson and her daughter, Serenity Rain Nicholson, were among those fully initiated into the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil at the Pittston parish – an experience neither will soon forget.

“It was a beautiful experience. I really don’t have the words to explain it,” Sky added just minutes after being baptized, confirmed and receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

For her daughter, the moment carried its own mix of emotion and excitement.

“I know that different doors have been opened for me,” Serenity Rain explained. “I’m excited to keep going from here and I’m excited to be able to get into my bible and understand things from a different point of view because I’m finally where I want and need to be.”

While their journeys to that moment were personal, sharing it together side by side made the experience even more meaningful.

“I’ll never forget it,” Sky said. “It has just been amazing.”

The journey for the mother-daughter duo has been unfolding for months through the Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA), where weekly classes gradually built not only understanding of the Catholic faith, but community.

“We all created a good friendship in faith,” Serenity Rain said. “We’re kind of sad that it’s coming to an end – but we plan to continue doing things afterwards.”

Their story is just one example of a growing movement across the Diocese of Scranton.

This year, 312 individuals have been welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church – up significantly from last year and reflecting a broader national trend.

At the Pittston parish alone, 10 catechumens and candidates were initiated during the Easter Vigil on April 4.

“This is one of our largest OCIA classes in a long time,” Father Joseph Elston, pastor of Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Joseph Marello, and Our Lady of the Eucharist Parishes, said. “Numbers are up across the country with people who are becoming Catholic. We’re in the mix here in the Diocese and here in our parishes in Pittston.”

For those entering the Church, the Easter Vigil marks both an ending and a beginning.

“It is the climax of their preparation and the beginning of their lives as fully initiated Catholics,” Father Elston added. “They’ve been studying since October just about every Sunday and working hard. This class has really dedicated themselves to learning things and experiencing things and being a part of the community.”

For Matthew Rosencrans, 37, the journey to the Easter Vigil has taken twists and turns, but he was inspired by a close friend in the Harrisburg area who converted to Catholicism. The fact that he was fully initiated on the most significant date on the Church’s calendar was not lost on him.

“What a monumental time for us to be welcomed into the Church – at the same time that (Jesus) is being resurrected,” Rosencrans reflected. “It is amazing.”

He described the moment as transformative.

“I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel. Honestly, I was nervous and scared, but at that moment, when the water started to flush over my head, you could feel a little weight coming off you. I felt lighter and I felt more at peace,” Rosencrans added.

For Father Elston, accompanying all the individuals through the OCIA journey has been deeply moving.

“I got a tiny bit emotional when I was giving them Communion, because they’ve worked really hard,” he said. “They deserve the acceptance they received tonight and the joy that they feel in their hearts – and I feel it too – so I was really happy for them.”

SCRANTON – As the Diocese of Scranton prepares to open the Saint Pius X Propaedeutic House of Formation for men discerning the priesthood later this year, two longstanding summer programs will continue to play an important role in fostering vocational awareness among young people.

Quo Vadis Days and Fiat Days will return June 29 through July 1, 2026, at Marywood University, offering high school students an opportunity to grow in faith while reflecting on God’s call in their lives.

Now in its eleventh year, Quo Vadis Days invites young men, from rising sophomores to graduating seniors, to take part in a three-day experience centered on prayer, fellowship, and discernment.

Participants engage in talks on priesthood, marriage, and prayer, while also building friendships through games, sports, music, and small group discussions. They will also have the opportunity to interact with Diocesan priests and seminarians and celebrate Mass with the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton.

Fiat Days, now in its third year, offers a similiar experience for young women.

Through prayer, conversation, and shared activities, participants encounter religious sisters serving throughout the Diocese and hear firsthand stories of discernment in both religious life and marriage. Opportunities for one-on-one conversations provide a deeper, personal look at vocational calling.

Both camps cost $100, and that fee covers lodging and meals.

Registration is currently open through June 11 on the Diocese of Scranton website (dioceseofscranton.org). Participants can reserve their spot by paying with either credit card or check.

A recommendation from a parish or school leader is also required.

Together, Quo Vadis Days and Fiat Days help plant the seeds of vocation, encouraging young people to listen more closely to God’s voice and consider how they are called to serve in the life of the Church.

For more information, or if cost is a hindrance, please email vocations@dioceseofscranton.org, or call (570) 207-1452.

SCRANTON – In parishes across the Diocese of Scranton, the work of protecting children and young people begins quietly – but decisively – at the local level.

For parish leaders like Tiffany Haller of Saint Ann Parish in Williamsport and Kristin Osipower of Saint Therese Parish in Shavertown, ensuring a safe environment is not simply a policy to follow, but a personal responsibility rooted in faith, trust, and care for others.

“At Saint Ann’s in Williamsport, we are clear that background checks are a requirement to work with children up front,” Haller explained. “Then, I do my best to help them with any questions, concerns or logistics in completing the process if they have not already done so.”

That hands-on approach reflects a broader reality: safe environment efforts rely heavily on dedicated parish representatives who manage clearances, track compliance and foster awareness among volunteers and staff.

Osipower, who is the Director of Religious Education at Saint Therese Parish, emphasized that communication and organization are essential in keeping track of a large and active volunteer base.

“One challenge for our parish is managing the sheer volume of volunteers … Another challenge is when other ministries have a great idea to involve youth, but I have to remind them about the necessary extra steps to be safe environment compliant,” she said. “This occasionally has altered plans and timelines, but our parishioners understand that our priority is the well-being of our youth.”

Both women acknowledged that managing compliance – especially tracking background clearances and five-year renewals – can be challenging. Yet through consistent oversight and collaboration with the Diocese, those challenges remain manageable.

Beyond paperwork and policies, both leaders stressed that the ultimate goal is creating a culture where children and families feel secure and valued.

“I often tell families that I want them to feel at home in our parish and a big component of that is trusting that you will be safe,” Osipower said. “As a mom of four myself, I would never leave my children if I thought their safety was going to be jeopardized.”

Haller echoed that sentiment, describing safe environment efforts as an extension of the Church’s mission.

“A safe environment is simply a reflection of, and way to, uphold the dignity of all of us as brothers and sisters in Christ,” Haller stated. “I view this as a form of hospitality; when we all take steps to ensure safety, everyone – from our most seasoned catechists to our youngest students – feels loved and protected.”

That culture of care is reinforced not only through background checks and ongoing training, but also through education. Parishes throughout the Diocese implement annual age-appropriate safe environment lessons for children, helping them understand boundaries, recognize unsafe situations, and identify trusted adults.

At the Diocesan level, efforts are coordinated and supported by Addie Rocco, Safe Environment Coordinator for the Diocese of Scranton, who works closely with parishes, schools, and ministries to ensure full compliance with national and local standards.

“My role as Safe Environment Coordinator of the Diocese of Scranton is as a liaison to all parishes, schools, clergy, Diocesan staff and volunteers to ensure safe environment compliance,” Rocco said. “I also act as the liaison between the Diocese and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and I am responsible for a yearly audit from the USCCB that ensures such compliance measures are met operationally throughout the Diocese.”

Rocco noted that more than 25,000 individuals across the Diocese have completed training through the “VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children” program, a cornerstone of the Church’s efforts to prevent abuse through education and awareness.

But she is quick to emphasize that policies alone are not enough.

“Ensuring safety is a team sport,” she said. “If you see something, say something. Be present, be aware. When your child or grandchild is going to parish events, ask questions, get involved. I know we are tired and busy. We are juggling so much in this world today and there are many distractions. When these instances of distraction occur, that is when we become vulnerable to crime. Don’t brush off gut feelings, go with them. It is the Lord guiding you.”

The Diocese of Scranton maintains a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and reports all allegations immediately to law enforcement.

In addition, a Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to provide pastoral care and support for survivors and their families, including access to counseling and other resources.

However, training and prevention remain at the heart of the Diocese’s mission to protect children – at all levels.

“As a mother of four daughters and a former member of law enforcement, I understand how important safety measures are and that education on reporting and looking for warning signs of behaviors can help to stop abuse before it starts,” Rocco added.

“These efforts require diligence, but protecting our children is one of the most important things we do, and it is well worth it,” Haller ended by saying.

SCRANTON – During a Healing Mass for Survivors of Abuse on April 9, 2026, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, reflected on the enduring pain carried by survivors, the importance of listening to their stories, and the Church’s responsibility to foster healing and accountability.

Celebrated annually during Child Abuse Prevention Month, and this year within the Octave of Easter, the liturgy offered prayers for healing and hope rooted in the Risen Christ.

Bishop Bambera’s homily is printed in full below as it was prepared for delivery:

Brothers and sisters, this is the eighth time in my tenure as Bishop that I’ve gathered with you in our cathedral to celebrate Mass during the month of April, a time dedicated to Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Prevention. We pray during this hour for God’s healing and peace for all survivors of sexual abuse and particularly for those abused by members of the clergy and trusted Church workers. We pray as well for mercy and forgiveness for those who inflicted or enabled such abuse.

It is significant that our prayer today takes place in the heart of the Octave of Easter – eight days that remind us that the cross of Jesus, despite its overwhelming pain, was not the end of Jesus’ story but, through the power of God, gave way to the fullness of life, meaning and peace for Jesus – and for each of us through faith.

Earlier this year, in speaking to the cardinals of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV addressed what he called “the scandal of closed doors.” The Holy Father stressed that while “abuse itself causes a deep wound which may last a lifetime, often the scandal in the Church is that the door was closed and victims were not welcomed or accompanied” by the Church. He went on to share the testimony of a victim with whom he had spoken: “She told me that the most painful part for her was that no bishop wanted to listen.” There, Pope Leo said, “listening is profoundly important.”

Brothers and sisters, while we have celebrated this Mass in a very public way for many years, it continues to be vital that we pray for survivors of abuse. Why? Because there is still pain. And the Church needs to listen to the stories of survivors, to their pain and to the movements of their hearts.

Most of us will ever know the depth of the pain that survivors endure. Yet, in courageously sharing their pain, so many of them with whom I’ve spoken over the years have taught me a great lesson. They’ve taught me that if the Church is truly intent upon creating safe environments for its children and all of God’s people, the Church – and especially Church leaders – must never forget or allow time to numb us to the pain that was so willfully inflicted on innocent lives by those who postured themselves as God’s representatives and ministers of his love and mercy. An authentic recognition of the pain of that cross is the only thing that can truly prompt us to change and to create a Church deserving of people’s trust.

Friends, today’s Scripture passages remind us of another cross. They remind us of the pain and suffering so unfairly inflicted upon Jesus. They also remind us that sin and death did not have the final word in Jesus’ experience. Nor do we journey through life alone as we carry our crosses. God walks with us – as Jesus walked with the burdened disciples on the road to Emmaus – and as he appeared to others in Jerusalem huddled for fear for their very lives. And we who gather in prayer this day are “witnesses” to the saving, healing presence of God in our world and in our lives as well.

Yet, for many of us, and especially for survivors of abuse, despite the hope that is proclaimed through the faith that we embrace as followers of the risen Jesus, it is still difficult at times to come to terms with such suffering and pain. Time doesn’t always heal.

And the world in which we find ourselves – fraught with wars, hatred and discrimination, and, yes, the constant news stories questioning and chronicling the rampant sexual abuse of minors by individuals of notoriety and fame – has sadly only served to open wounds of so many who have suffered for so long.

It is, however, miraculously in moments of such pain and despair that our faith can help us come to understand how God works best works within our lives.

When we have nowhere else to turn, when we’re no longer capable of fixing the things that have gone awry in our lives, God is finally given room to step into our lives and to carry us when we can no longer walk on our own. In his letter to the Church at Corinth, Saint Paul confronts the reality of his own suffering amid the broken world in which he finds himself, “I willingly boast of my weakness that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

If we can see ourselves in Jesus’ suffering and death, our faith tells us that we have nothing to fear. St. Paul once again says that “if we have died with Christ” – not just at the time of our passing from this world but also and especially through the crosses that we carry in life – “we shall also live with him,” not only in eternity but in this moment of our journey of faith.

Brothers and sisters, this is Easter!

That is what we celebrate this day in our prayer during this Eastertide … God, in Christ, embraces our suffering – all of it, as unfair and as painful as it may be – and gives us hope to move forward in our journey of life and faith.

As Bishop of this local Church, I again apologize for the pain that has been inflicted upon far too many of you by leaders of our Church. In this season of hope and new life, I ask for forgiveness from the countless numbers of you who have suffered so much. And I pledge to continue to do all within my power to keep our churches and schools safe for our children and for all our people to worship, to pray, to learn and to grow in their faith.

May the risen Jesus heal us of our pain, fill us with his love and strengthen us to walk together in faith and so reflect his life and love to a world so desperately in need of it.

SCRANTON – The final Mass honoring recipients of the 2026 Bishop’s Youth Award brought together young people from the Eastern and Western Pastoral regions of the Diocese of Scranton on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.

The liturgy marked the conclusion of three celebrations held throughout March recognizing eighth- and twelfth-grade students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to their Catholic faith through service in their parishes, schools, and communities.

For many of the students recognized at the final Mass, the celebration was both an honor and an opportunity to witness the faith of their peers.

“I’m really excited to be here and to see a lot of people who contribute to the Church,” Angelica Barcia, a senior at Delaware Valley High School and parishioner of Saint Patrick Parish in Milford, said. “Especially in today’s world, people are tempted to do things that are not Christ-like, so it’s very important to celebrate the people who are doing that.”

Barcia, who serves as a catechist, lector, and youth group member in her parish, said her faith has helped keep her grounded.

“No matter what else is going on in the world, I have Jesus, and that is all that really matters,” she added.

Zachariah Levin, a homeschooled senior from Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Brodheadsville, described receiving the award as an opportunity to “bear witness to God’s goodness” and inspire others.

Levin, who has recently been accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Scranton, said his growing involvement in parish life helped him recognize God’s call.

“I’ve seen a lot of the hurt and pain that goes on in the world, but also the benefit of God’s grace,” he said. “It is a great benefit in our life to be Catholic.”

For Anna Tokarz, a senior from Saint Peter Parish in Wellsboro, the gathering itself was especially meaningful.

“It feels really nice to be around other kids who are Catholic, because I don’t experience that a lot in my public school, so it’s really nice being around people with like-minded thoughts,” Tokarz explained.

Eighth-grade recipients also reflected on the importance of faith in their daily lives.
“It helps me make better decisions and overall makes me a better person,” Lya Peguero of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina Parish in Hazleton, who participates in her parish choir and youth group.

“When you think, ‘What would God do?’ it really helps shape every decision you make,” Lillian Kuchar, an eighth-grade student at Holy Family Academy in Hazleton, added.

During the Mass, Father Dan Toomey, pastor of Epiphany Parish, Sayre, encouraged the young people to recognize their unique role as witnesses to Christ in the world.

“You are the presence of Christ in this world,” Father Toomey said in his homily. “This Mass is about continuing to pray for God’s movement in your hearts and minds.”

Sharing his own vocation story, Father Toomey spoke about discerning God’s call later in life after serving as an Army officer, reminding students of the importance of listening for God’s voice.

“Continue to listen to how God is calling you to be an individual person. He has created you and given you the Holy Spirit,” Father Toomey added.

SCRANTON – Every summer, the Diocese of Scranton holds a Wedding Anniversary Celebration for couples celebrating milestone anniversary years.

This year’s Mass will be held at the Cathedral of Saint Peter on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.

Couples who are celebrating 10, 25, 40, and 50 years of marriage are invited to register for the Mass, where couples will renew their wedding commitment.

Immediately following the liturgy, there will be a reception with light refreshments at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, which is across the street from the Cathedral (330 Wyoming Avenue).

Pre-registration is required.

To register, visit the Diocese of Scranton website.

For more information, please call Bridget Maille, Program Coordinator, Family Life at (570) 207-2213 x1133 or email familylife@dioceseofscranton.org.

 

SCRANTON – Cada verano, la Diócesis de Scranton celebra una Misa de Aniversario de Bodas para las parejas que conmemoran años importantes de matrimonio.

La Misa de este año se llevará a cabo en la Catedral de San Pedro el domingo 28 de junio de 2026 a las 2:30 p.m.

Las parejas que celebran 10, 25, 40 y 50 años de matrimonio están invitadas a inscribirse para la Misa, durante la cual renovarán su compromiso matrimonial.

Inmediatamente después de la liturgia, habrá una recepción con refrigerios ligeros en el Centro Pastoral Diocesano, ubicado al otro lado de la calle de la Catedral (330 Wyoming Avenue)

Se requiere inscripción previa.

Para inscribirse, visite el sitio web de la Diócesis de Scranton.

Para más información, por favor comuníquese con Bridget Maille al (570) 207-2213 ext. 1133 o por correo electrónico a familylife@dioceseofscranton.org.

SCRANTON – Carol Mueller and Christina Curran of the Mueller Family McDonald’s presented a check for $10,000 to Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation on Friday, March 20, 2026.

The donation was a result of the annual Fry Fundraiser that kicked off National Catholic Schools Week Jan. 25, 2026, and ended Feb. 15, 2026. A total of 21 Mueller Family McDonald’s locations in Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties participated by donating a portion of every large order of french fries sold during that period.

“We are so grateful to the Mueller family for their generosity and commitment to supporting families in need. This support is needed more than ever and ensures an excellent faith-based education is affordable and available to those desiring to attend one of our schools,” Kristen Donohue, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Education/Superintendent of Schools, said.

Shown above at the check presentation are, from left: Carol Mueller, Christina Curran, and Kristen Donohue.

(OSV News) – More U.S. Catholic bishops are speaking out in defense of Pope Leo XIV after President Donald Trump began denouncing the pope at length on social media and in verbal statements.

Shortly after Trump posted his 330-word condemnation of the vicar of Christ April 12 — followed 46 minutes later with a now-deleted image seemingly depicting him as Jesus Christ — Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement that the pope is neither Trump’s “rival,” nor “a politician.”

“He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls,” he stated.

The USCCB president’s statement was followed by an initial flurry of statements from fellow bishops the following day. Many more bishops have joined their voices as Trump has not only rejected the request from Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, a member of Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, to apologize to Pope Leo, but also has continued his diatribes against the pope over social media.

“I stand in solidarity with the Holy Father as he speaks out against war and speaks truth about the gospel with the mission to bring people closer to God,” said Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, Kentucky, in his April 13 statement.

“As the Vicar of Christ, Pope Leo XIV will continue to advocate for peace, spread the message of hope, and pray for a conversion of hearts,” he said.

“Pope Leo’s role is pastoral, not political,” Archbishop James R. Golka of Denver affirmed in an April 13 statement, emphasizing that Trump’s language toward the pope “fails to reflect the respect owed to the Successor of Peter and does not serve the common good.”

The pope’s “words throughout these early months of his pontificate all cry out the same urgent appeal: lay down weapons, choose dialogue, protect innocent life,” said Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer of Atlanta in an April 13 message published by that archdiocese’s newspaper, The Georgia Bulletin.

Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, Oregon, said in an April 14 Facebook post that Trump’s disparagement of Pope Leo as “weak and “very liberal” was “misguided.”

“The Holy Father’s call for peace, dialogue, and conversion of heart in the face of war arises not from partisanship or political bias, but from his Christian identity and mission as Supreme Pastor of Christ’s Church on earth,” said Archbishop Sample. “The Church’s mission is to preach the Good News of her divine founder, Jesus Christ, proclaiming peace, truth, and the dignity of every human person.”

Even as more bishops spoke out in defense of Pope Leo’s exercise of the teaching office, Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic who converted in 2019, joined the fray defending Trump on Fox News Sunday and dismissing the Jesus-like AI-generated image of Trump looking like Jesus — widely panned as blasphemous — as a “joke.”

Vance delivered a new rebuke to Pope Leo April 14 at the Turning Point USA conference in Athens, Georgia, claiming that while he respected the pope, Pope Leo should “be careful when he talks about matters of theology” in criticizing the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

Vance’s comments, along with the growing wave of bishops’ statements in solidarity with Pope Leo, point to a fundamental difference between how the president and the Church understand the role of the pope.

“President Trump sees Pope Leo as simply an American,” Mathew Schmalz, professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, told OSV News. “However, the pope is articulating a vision that reflects broader themes in Catholic doctrine, and his experience in the Global South.”

That point was also made by the Catholic bishops of Tennessee, Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville, Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis and Bishop Mark Beckman of Knoxville, joined by Rick Musacchio, executive director of the Tennessee Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops.

In an April 13 statement released through the Catholic conference, they said that “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.”, also signed on to the statement.

They pointed to “the long tradition of popes speaking against war,” citing St. Paul VI’s 1965 address to the United Nations, in which the pope declared, “Never again war, never again war! It is peace, peace, that has to guide the destiny of the nations of all mankind! … A person cannot love with offensive weapons in his hands.”

“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,” the Tennessee statement said. “They do not choose sides as politicians, but rather express clear moral principles.”

Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks of New York took to his Catholic Faith Network show, “All Good Things with Archbishop Hicks” April 14 to say the pontiff’s teaching “shouldn’t surprise any of us.”

“He is concerned about peace in the world and the salvation of souls,” he said, “and that he wants us to work and live for justice and peace.”

In an April 13 statement, Bishop Michael M. Pham of San Diego noted that “throughout history, the papacy has served as a vital voice for peace, justice, and the care of the most vulnerable.”

“Pope Leo’s leadership continues in that tradition, offering guidance that transcends politics and speaks to shared human values,” he said, adding that it comes at a time when “our world is under tremendous turmoil by leaders who execute decisions disregarding the moral implications that lead to greater division, hatred, and death.”

Bishop David M. O’Connell of Trenton, New Jersey, published an extensive reflection on the matter April 14, observing that “the Catholic Church’s mission” — namely, “to proclaim Jesus Christ, to defend the dignity of every human person, and to guide souls toward salvation” — “does not depend on political approval or cultural consensus.”

“Moreover,” said Bishop O’Connell, “the Church herself has a true freedom to preach the faith, teach her social doctrine, and pass moral judgment when fundamental rights of the person or the salvation of souls require it.”

“Pope Leo has made the summons to compassion and the longing for peace the central focus of his ministry as the Holy Father,” said Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston in his April 13 statement. “He speaks in accord with the dignity of his office and in fidelity to his mission.”

In his April 13 statement, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of Scranton, Pennsylvania, reflected on the message Pope Leo delivered at an April 11 prayer vigil for peace at St. Peter’s Basilica, during which the pope said, “War divides; hope unites. Arrogance tramples upon others; love lifts up.”

“He was speaking from the heart of the Gospel,” said Bishop Bambera, who said he was “deeply saddened” by both Trump’s comments about the pope and also by the AI-generated image Trump eventually deleted “that seemingly portrays him in the place of Jesus Christ.”

“I am praying for the President, that he may be guided by wisdom, humility and a sincere pursuit of peace,” the bishop said. “I am also praying for Pope Leo that he may be strengthened to continue speaking boldly for peace and justice, even in the face of criticism.”