Trump's allies defend his remarks about Pope Leo

NPR | By Domenico Montanaro,

Leila Fadel

Published April 16, 2026 at 3:43 AM CDT

The Trump administration is largely standing by the president's comments about Pope Leo. What does that mean for the Republican base?

Tags

Morning Edition

Domenico Montanaro

Domenico Montanaro is NPR's senior political editor/correspondent. Based in Washington, D.C., his work appears on air and online delivering analysis of the political climate in Washington and campaigns. He also helps edit political coverage.

See stories by Domenico Montanaro

Leila Fadel

Leila Fadel is a national correspondent for NPR based in Los Angeles, covering issues of culture, diversity, and race.

See stories by Leila Fadel

NPR News

A Polymarket trader made $300,000 betting on Biden's pardons, a new analysis shows

Bobby Allyn

In the final hours of President Biden's term, an anonymous prediction market trader placed lucrative bets on who would be pardoned even as the odds were nearly zero.
Trump tries to declare victory in Iran as timeline for war's end continues to shift

Tamara Keith, Leila Fadel

President Trump has continued to shift his timeline for ending the U.S.-Israeli-led war in Iran.
Sen. Tim Kaine on Trump's timeline to end Iran war and efforts to limit war powers

A Martínez

NPR's A Martinez speaks with Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia about Trump's inconsistent timeline to end the war with Iran and Democrats' efforts to restrain presidential war powers.
Morning news brief

Leila Fadel, A Martínez

President Trump's timeline for an end to the Iran war continues to shift, U.S. and Iran block the Strait of Hormuz, trapping the Gulf's oil and gas, Trump's allies defend his remarks about Pope Leo.
Thundercat talks about his new album, 'Distracted'

A Martínez

The bass player known as Thundercat is cherished by fans of funk and jazz, and he recently revealed his love of "yacht rock" in a popular documentary. His new album is called "Distracted."