Furious Pope Strikes Back Against Trump Inside USA

Summary

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The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode Title: Furious Pope Strikes Back Against Trump Inside USA
Release Date: November 16, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett & Jordy Meiselas

Overview:

This episode tackles an unprecedented escalation in the conflict between the Catholic Church—spearheaded by Pope Leo XIV—and the Trump administration over the latter’s immigration policies. The Meiselas brothers examine major statements from Church leaders, detail the American bishops’ historic rebuke of President Trump, and highlight faith-driven grassroots protests against mass deportations and the treatment of undocumented immigrants. The coverage balances deep outrage with the signature MeidasTouch blend of sharp analysis and heartfelt appeals for moral clarity.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Rebuke by U.S. Catholic Bishops

• [02:15] The hosts open discussion on the Pope’s forceful directive calling American bishops, cardinals, and priests to publicly denounce the Trump regime’s immigration policies.
• At their annual conference in Baltimore, U.S. bishops voted 216 to 5 (with three abstentions) to issue a "special message on immigration"—their first such action in over a decade.
• The letter condemned “indiscriminate mass deportation,” “dehumanizing rhetoric,” and the “climate of fear” created among immigrant families.
• Memorable Quote [02:52]:

  "This is basically the strongest collective denunciation of a United States president by the Catholic hierarchy in American history. And again, this was all being directed by Pope Leo XIV back at the Vatican."
  —MeidasTouch Host

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2. Direct Papal Involvement & High-Level Clergy Reactions

• [05:21] Previous statements from Pope Leo XIV demonstrating his ongoing leadership and outrage:
  • The Pope urges a “stronger and unified voice” from American bishops to defend migrants.
  • Pope Leo XIV [05:21]:

    "I think it's important that we as church give a message of hope in the midst of these horrible struggles... The church cannot be silent. You've spoken very strongly and you know, we're trying to do the same in our country [...] I wish there were a stronger voice in our voice, even though... the president speak out."

• [07:10] Papal comments to journalists near Rome:
  • Identifies the spiritual suffering of long-term residents.
  • Denounces denial of Mass and spiritual care to migrants in detention.
  • Pope Leo XIV [07:10]:

    “At the end of the world, we're going to be asked, you know, how did you receive the foreigner? Did you receive and welcome him or not? [...] Many people who have lived for years and years... have been deeply affected by what's going on right now. The spiritual rights of people who have been detained should also be considered.”

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3. Support from U.S. Catholic Hierarchy—Including Conservatives

• [08:27] Cardinal Blase Cupich, at a Chicago event honoring Pope Leo XIV, publicly opposes scapegoating the undocumented:
  • Cardinal Cupich [08:27]:

    “It is wrong to scapegoat those who are here without documents, for indeed they are here due to a broken immigration system.”

• [09:31] Archbishop Alexander Sample, a leading conservative, issues a heartfelt message from the bishops’ annual meeting:
  • Expresses solidarity with Hispanic parishioners “regardless of documentation,” emphasizing human dignity as “from our loving God.”
  • Archbishop Sample [09:31]:

    “It does not matter whether some of our brothers and sisters have proper documentation or not. They are our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ and have a human dignity that comes not from government, but from our loving God. Please know that I and your pastors stand with you in solidarity during this difficult time… Viva Cristo Rey.”

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4. Grassroots Catholic Protests and National Campaigns

• [13:36] The hosts showcase footage of Catholic-led protests in Philadelphia, marked by prayer and a Eucharistic procession circling the ICE office.
  • Faith leaders, students, and rights groups demand just treatment for immigrant families.
  • Participants recited the St. Francis Cabrini pledge, committing to prayer and advocacy for migrants.
• [14:47] A female faith leader in Philly:

  “As a Catholic woman, as a woman of faith, as a Puerto Rican who is greatly committed to the causes of all Latin Americans and all people without documents, it is my responsibility to be here today.”

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5. Church Leadership Aligns with Pope Leo: New Faces Amid Trump Raids

• [16:09] The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops elects pro-immigrant leaders—Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Bishop Daniel Flores—signaling a hard line against Trump’s deportation raids.
• The hosts note this represents a broader, Vatican-endorsed shift: “welcoming the stranger is now the core to the church’s mission.”

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6. Further Messages from Cardinal Cupich

• [17:39] In a bilingual video, Cardinal Cupich directly addresses the undocumented:
  • Cardinal Cupich [17:49]:

    "Most of you have been here for years. You have worked hard, you have raised families, you have contributed to this nation. You have earned our respect."

  • Calls for dignity and recalls that “we all come from immigrant families.”

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7. Systemic Obstruction & Hostility: Examples from the Ground

• [18:17] Reports from James Martin, SJ:
  • Religious leaders denied access to migrants in detention even on holy days like All Saints’ Day.
• Trump officials continue to publicly attack the Catholic Church’s criticism:
  • [18:54] Tom Homan (former ICE Director):

    "The Catholic Church is wrong. I'm sorry, I'm a lifelong Catholic... I think they need to spend time fixing the Catholic Church."

  • Defends extreme border enforcement, dismisses Church’s advocacy as misguided.

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8. Hosts’ Reflection & Broader Appeal

• [19:40] The hosts view the Church’s stand as a model for all—regardless of faith—to act from empathy, resist cruelty, and prioritize human dignity.
  • Host [19:59]:

    “More important than any doctrinal religious view... is just doing our best in this time to try to be a good person. And where religion calls on that or no religion... what I want you to take away is we're trying here at the Midas Touch network to further help humanity and to foster empathy and to love thy neighbor... and this Trump regime has done the opposite of that.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Strongest collective rebuke of a U.S. president by Catholic hierarchy: [02:52]
• Pope Leo XIV: “The church cannot be silent.” [05:42]
• Conservative Archbishop Sample: “They are our brothers and sisters... from our loving God.” [09:31]
• Cardinal Cupich: “You have earned our respect.” [17:49]
• Tom Homan (Trump official): “The Catholic Church is wrong… spend time fixing the Catholic Church.” [18:54]
• Host’s Reflection on Humanity Over Politics: [19:59]

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Segment Timestamps

• [02:15] - Historic U.S. Catholic Bishop Rebuke & Standing Ovation
• [05:21] - Papal Remarks: “The Church cannot be silent… message of hope”
• [07:10] - Pope on Spiritual Rights of Detained Migrants
• [08:27] - Cardinal Cupich: "It is wrong to scapegoat"
• [09:31] - Archbishop Sample: “Heavy heart… human dignity from God”
• [13:36] - Philadelphia Catholic Procession/Protest
• [16:09] - Election of Pro-Immigrant Bishops By U.S. Conference
• [17:39] - Cardinal Cupich Addresses Undocumented Migrants
• [18:17] - Denial of Communion/Mass in Detention, Trump Official Backlash
• [19:40] - MeidasTouch: Moral Clarity, Empathy, and Resistance

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Summary & Takeaways

The Meiselas brothers deliver a passionate and substance-rich breakdown of a transformative moment in church-state relations. As Pope Leo XIV directs U.S. bishops to confront Trump-era injustices, the episode interlaces high-level church pronouncements, personal stories of faith-in-action, and clear-eyed criticism of both religious and political establishments.

For listeners, the key message is that standing up for migrants, defending dignity, and choosing empathy over fear are deeply American and human values—whether rooted in faith or not. The episode stands as both exposé and call to conscience, energized by the irreverent, compassionate voice that defines MeidasTouch.

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Transcript

[Religious Leader]

Hello, friends.

[News Reporter]

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[Religious Leader]

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See mint mobile.com Pope Leo XIV is absolutely furious at Donald Trump and his regime. And the Pope basically ordered the bish and cardinals and priests in the United States to have their voices heard and to assert themselves and to powerfully rebuke and stand up to Donald Trump and his regime for their treatment of migrants. So Catholic bishops issued a rare formal and public rebuke of Donald Trump and his entire regime for the mass deportation of immigrants and the horrific treatment that is being inflicted on. I want to talk to you about what went down. So the American Catholic bishops delivered a historic rebuke this week, as Christopher Hale reports on his sub stack meeting at their annual conference in Baltimore, the bishops voted 216 to 5 with three abstentions, to approve a special message on immigration, the first such action in over 12 years. So, so after this overwhelming vote, the assembly of bishops stood and applauded a standing ovation. Here is what they said. And this is basically the strongest collective denunciation of a United States president by the Catholic hierarchy in American history. And again, this was all being directed by Pope Leo xiv back at the Vatican. The letter says, we oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people. We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement. Listing a litany of concerns, what they described as a climate of fear among immigrant families and parents who are afraid to take their children to school or even attend church. And the Catholic bishops and priests and cardinals deplore the vilification of immigrants. We feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense. Sense of God given human dignity. Now, folks, whether you're religious or not, whether you're Catholic or not, the point is I think we all have a moral obligation right now to stand up against the regime. And I'm glad, again, regardless of religion, that Pope Leo the 14th is using his platform to push back hard against the Trump regime. Now, we've heard Pope Leo the Fourth, Trump the 14th, denounced the Trump regime before and to describe his views about Trump regime's horrific treatment of migrants. For example, this was a video last month where Pope Leo said the American bishops need a more stronger and unified voice to defend migrants against Trump's deportation raids. Here, play this clip.

[Religious Leader]

I was struck at the beginning. It talks about the feeling of powerlessness, which I think is so much. And I think it's important that we as church give a message of hope in the midst of these horrible struggles. What's going on so many cities in the United States right now.

[Archbishop Alexander Sample]

At least.

[Religious Leader]

The church cannot be silent. You've spoken very strongly and you know, we're trying to do the same in our country and yet not get into the political fray the best that we can. I know, I mean, even with encounters with their challenges, I mean, that's one place there should be. I wish there were stronger voice in our voice, even though, I mean, the president speak out. You know, there have been, there's been some good movement in that sense, but I certainly have to keep, continue to encourage.

[Commentator/Host]

And this was from last week or a little bit longer than last early November. Where Pope Leo called for a deep reflection on the treatment of migrants in the United States. He was actually speaking to, to journalists just outside Rome. Pope Leo the 14th said that many people who have lived for years and years in the US Never causing problems, are deeply affected by the current situation. And it's important to note, right, that the Pope Leo the 14th has his roots in Chicago. And so he talked about how they're depriving the migrants of Mass. They're not allowing the priests to hold or conduct Mass. And the treatment of priests outside the detention facilities, not just in Chicago, but across the United States, has been absolutely terrible. Here, play this clip.

[Religious Leader]

In the first place, the role of the church is to preach the gospel. And just a couple days ago we heard Matthew's Gospel, chapter 25, which says Jesus says very clearly at the end of the world, we're going to be asked, you know, how did you receive the foreigner? Did you receive him and welcome him or not? And I think that there's a deep reflection that needs to be made in terms of what's happening. Many people who have lived for years and years and years never causing problems have been deeply affected by what's going on right now. The spiritual rights of people who have been detained should also be considered. And I would certainly invite the authorities to allow pastoral workers to, to attend to the needs of those people. Many times they've been separated from their families for good amount of time. No one knows what's happening, but their own spiritual needs should be attended to.

[Commentator/Host]

And I should remind you as well, speaking of Chicago, that back In June of 2025, at an event in Chicago honoring Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Blassi Cupich said that it is wrong to scapegoat those who are here without documents. Play this clip.

[Religious Leader]

It is wrong to scapegoat those who.

[Commentator/Host]

Are here without documents, for indeed they.

[Religious Leader]

Are here due to a broken immigration system.

[Commentator/Host]

And it gets even more interesting from there. You know, a very conservative archbishop by the name of Alexander Sample from the Oregon region from Portland, Oregon, Archbishop Alexander Sample, again long considered one of America's most conservative of in the church, according to Christopher Hale, he issued a public statement condemning Donald Trump and J.D. vance's recent immigration raids. Human dignity comes not from government, but from our loving God, Sample declared. So I just want to show you this united front being put on right here. And again, this is from a very conservative, very careful archbishop over in Portland, Oregon. And here's what he had to say. Let's play this clip.

[Archbishop Alexander Sample]

It is with a heavy heart that I address all of you. My dear people, my heart is heavy because of the continued fear and anxiety that runs through the community of our Hispanic brothers and sisters in this Archdiocese. This is due to the increased ICE activity within our communities even now in the vicinity of some of our parishes. As I address all of you, I am attending the annual meeting of the United States Bishops in Baltimore, Maryland. I want to assure our Hispanic brothers and sisters that the shepherds of the Church in the United States are working diligently to advocate for their humane and respectful treatment. We are doing all we can to alleviate this suffering. As your Archbishop and spiritual father, I wish I could remove this cross from you. But I want to assure you that I am deeply concerned over what you are experiencing right now, along with all your local parish priests. I know this is a great burden for them as well because they feel helpless to take this cross from you. It does not matter whether some of our brothers and sisters have proper documentation or not. They are our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ and have a human dignity that comes not from government, but from our loving God. Please know that I and your pastors stand with you in solidarity during this difficult time. To all of my brother priests who are caring for our people during these difficult times, I want to assure you of my support and prayers. We are in this together to uphold the dignity of every human person, every child of God. I ask all of you to lean on the love that Jesus has for each one of us. He alone is our hope and in him alone do we trust. He is with you always and will never abandon you. Place yourselves in his hands. All of you are deeply in my prayers each and every day. God bless you. Viva Cristo Rey.

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[Commentator/Host]

Now, in cities across the United States, we're seeing Catholic priests, bishops, congregants speaking out against the horrific treatment of migrants. For example, this past week, Catholics in Philadelphia responded to Pope Leo the 14th call to action to stand up against the Trump regime. Watch what happened in Philly. But I could show you this basically in San Diego and Portland. I could show you this in a lot of cities. But let me show you this. Let's play this clip.

[News Reporter]

Yeah. And the prayers in that religious procession, it started right here on 8th street in front of the Philadelphia ICE field office. And they made their way around the block and back. Now, this is part of a national campaign calling on people of faith to stand in solidarity with migrants and speak out against the Trump administration's aggressive deportation actions. Coming together in prayer and solidarity for the immigrant community today, Philly area Catholics, students and immigrant rights groups, they gathered outside the ICE field office in Center City.

[Religious Leader]

As a Catholic woman, as a woman of faith, as a Puerto Rican who.

[Commentator/Host]

Is greatly committed to the causes of all Latin Americans and all people without documents, it is my responsibility to be here today.

[News Reporter]

The crowd followed faith leaders in a Eucharistic procession circling the ICE office, many carrying religious paintings as well as signs speaking out against mass deportations and in support of immigrant families, trying our best.

[Religious Leader]

To address the lack of due process and the injustice toward the immigrants throughout our country at this, this point.

[News Reporter]

Today's action comes a week after Pope Leo called for deep reflection in the US about the treatment of Immigrants in detention.

[Religious Leader]

I would like to salute our Holy Father, Pope Leo, who has given us a very clear direction as to how we are to respond as Christians to the plight of migrants all throughout the world.

[News Reporter]

Other Catholic leaders following in the pope's footsteps. Last night, US Bishops issued a special message speaking out against the Trump administration's deportation policies, reading in part, we oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people. We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement. And many today reciting the St. Francis Cabrini pledge, pledging to follow in the footsteps of the patron saint of immigrants and pray for migrants. I'm Miguel Martinez Valle, NBC10 News.

[Commentator/Host]

One of the things we're seeing as well is how the US Bishops pick Trump immigration critics to lead a lot of their conferences now, I think is interesting. Christopher Hale has been a great reporter on this. America's Catholic bishops elected two defenders of migrants as their new leaders. The move, encouraged by Pope Leo the 14th, signals that welcoming the stranger is now the core to the church's mission. As Trump's aggressive deportation raids sweep the country, US Catholic bishops have chosen leadership that is boldly challenging his immigration raids. Meeting in a hotel hotel ballroom in Baltimore on Tuesday, their first major gathering under Pope Leo the 14th, the bishop selected Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City as conference president and Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas, as vice president. And then they issued that powerful statement. So we see one of the reasons why Pope Leo XIV got that position, because of his strength in standing up to Donald Trump and this regime. I want to show this to you as well. Um, this was a powerful statement from Cardinal Kupich. I showed you him before at the Chicago stadium a few months ago, but this was last month. Chicago.

[Tom Homan]

Carl.

[Ryan Reynolds]

No.

[Commentator/Host]

Kupich shared this message to undocumented migrants. Play this clip.

[News Reporter]

And Chicago Cardinal Blake Cupich releasing videos today where he said that, quote, the church stands with migrants. And he had this message to those who are undocumented.

[Religious Leader]

Most of you have been here for years. You have worked hard, you have raised families, you have contributed to this nation. You have earned our respect.

[News Reporter]

In the videos that were made in both English and Spanish, the cardinal saying that he would insist that immigrants be treated with dignity. And he said, americans shouldn't forget we all come from immigrant families.

[Commentator/Host]

And as James Martin, priest, explains, after repeatedly requesting permission and following all the official guidelines, Catholic bishops, priests and sisters, and laypeople were refused permission to distribute communion and hold Mass to migrants in an ICE detention Center on All Saints Day. And this has been a common occurrence that we've seen. Meanwhile, you have Trump regime officials attacking the Catholic Church. Tom Homan says the Catholic Church is wrong to criticize the Trump regime's treatment of migrants. Here, play this clip.

[Tom Homan]

Secure border saves lives. I wish the Catholic Church and understand that we have the right to secure our borders like they have the right to secure their facility. You know, you can't enter their facility without getting arrested. Matter of fact, there's the penalties for entering their facilities are much worse than ours. So you know, we're going to force a law and by doing that we're saving a lot of lives. Secure border saves lives and norm. One of the reasons no one talks about why we have the most secure border in the history of this nation is because exactly what ISIS doing. ISIS sent a message to the whole world. Don't give your life savings to come to the country because you're not going to be released. You're not going to cross the border illegally. You're going to be prosecuted. So Catholic Church. Wrong. I'm sorry, I'm a lifelong Catholic. I'm saying it as not only a borders, I'll say it as a Catholic. I think they need to spend time fixing the Catholic Church.

[Commentator/Host]

So certainly interesting developments there. But Pope Leo the 14th striking back against the Trump regime. Let me know what you think. I think this deserves more attention. And again, let me just be clear about this. Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, atheist, something Hindu, something. You know what I still think is so important, more important than any doctrinal religious view, in my view is just doing our best in this time to try to be a good person and where religion calls on that or no religion. But when we call upon the better nature of our humanity, I don't want to lose sight of that in the back and forth of politics. And I think right now having moral clarity is the most important thing. So yeah, I'll do videos where I cover maga, Mike this and Trump that and this person that. But at its core, what I want you to take away is we're trying here at the Midas Touch network to further help humanity and to foster empathy and to love thy neighbor and not in a religious and just to treat each other with respect and dignity. And this Trump regime has done the opposite of that. And that at its core is why is why it's so important for us to resist and assert ourselves right now. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million. Thanks for watching.

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