The Patriarch of Lisbon, Rui Valério, reacted to the criticism directed at Pope Leo XIV by Donald Trump and other elements of the North American administration, stressing that “the Church is not a political institution”, “it has no political purposes” and “it is neither left nor right”.
Speaking to DN, the Patriarch reinforced the idea that the mission of the Church is based “on the presence of Christ”, who entrusts it with the duty of “proclaiming the Gospel, promoting peace and justice”, based on “the essential commandment of love, even towards enemies”, to conclude: “Everything the Church says and does must be understood in this context”, warning that not understanding this “could mean an attempt to manipulate the Church or reduce it, ignoring its true spiritual and missionary dimension”.
Regarding attacks on Pope Leo XIV by US administration officials, from Trump to Vice President J.D. Vance, he added: “Probably, and I say this without arrogance, the US administration has not paid enough attention to the Gospel passage in which Jesus clearly says: ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s..’”
As for the firmness of Leo XIV, Rui Valério considered that it stems from “the assistance of the Holy Spirit”, but also from the Christian identity itself. “A Christian is someone imbued with the presence and help of God and, therefore, is not afraid of any adversary. None at all,” he stated, adding: “It is in this sense that I understand the pope’s determination.”
The Patriarch particularly regretted the recent statements made by Vice President JD Vance. “I am extremely sorry that this is the case, because a Christian cannot speak in that way about any man, much less the Holy Father,” he said..
Regarding the role of the pope, he stated that he is “invested with a unique mission” and that he is “a reference not only for Catholics or Christians, but for all humanity”, adding that he is “one of the great references of our time, for billions of people who find hope in him to face the adversities of their daily lives”.
Comparing the pope’s stance with that of his critics, Rui Valério recalled that Leo XIV “lives and walks at a very high level of spiritual and human depth”, while “perhaps others live more on the surface, more involved in the foam of the days”.
The image generated by artificial intelligence that associated Donald Trump with Jesus Christ, which he guarantees he has not seen, deserves a single comment from the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon — “I haven’t seen it, honestly. I just make one comment: There is only one Savior, Jesus Christ, and no one else.”
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