From Paul Welch, at the Office of Social Action Ministry

From Paul Welch, at the Office of Social Action Ministry

"There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President" the NYS Catholic

Conference, representing the Catholic Bishops of New York State, responding to

the image of our president as Pope.The 135 cardinals, 80% appointed by Pope Francis

and assembled from around the globe, would be mystified with a U.S.political figure

posing as Pope.

The 23 cardinals from Asia would be puzzled how a political figure actively opposing Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si’ and condemning low lying Asian countries to

extinction would have the audacity to claim leadership of the Catholic Church.

The 18 cardinals from Africa might well be outraged by such a papal claim from the

leader who canceled almost all Catholic Relief Services USAID funding to the poor

and vulnerable citizens of their dioceses. Furthermore, this figure refused well vetted

refugees from the camps in African countries. The 17 cardinals from South America might

question the virtual elimination of US humanitarian aid to their region while sending immigrants and dollars to a notorious Salvadoran prison. They might ask if our president would wash the feet of these prisoners like Pope Francis.

The 3 cardinals from the Middle East may contrast Pope Francis’ continuous calls for

ceasefire in Gaza with the United States continuous flow of bombs and missiles to

Israel.

One of these cardinals, Cardinal Pizzaballa, offered himself as a hostage in exchange for Israeli children held by Hamas!

No, the image of our president as pope is not funny; it is harmful propaganda. It tries to obscure the fundamental difference between the mercy of Pope Francis and the actions of our president.