Croatian bishops express support for Pope Leo XIV after criticism from U.S. officials

The Croatian Bishops’ Conference - the official assembly of Catholic bishops in the country - has expressed solidarity with Pope Leo XIV following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump on social media.

Meeting at their plenary session this week, the bishops emphasized unity with the Pope, who has been calling for peace worldwide. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, they said the pontiff shows equal concern for all victims of war, rejecting claims that he has been “selective” in expressing empathy.

Asked whether the Pope was right to criticize President Trump - who frequently invokes God in his public statements - auxiliary bishop Mijo Gorski, head of the bishops’ Committee for Social Communications, said he would leave the matter to be resolved between the United States and the Vatican.

However, Šibenik Bishop Tomislav Rogić took a stronger stance, calling Trump’s references to God “pure blasphemy.”

“Yes, it is blasphemy, plain and simple. For me personally, it is absolutely blasphemous. Someone telling the Pope to choose his words carefully when speaking about theology... it’s ridiculous, isn’t it?” Rogić said.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance also said the Pope should “be careful” when speaking about theology.

The bishops reiterated that the Pope is acting in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ and stressed that the Church cannot stray from the fundamental message of the Gospel.