Pope Leo expressed concerns on Friday about the tensions affecting the relationship between the United States and Canada, possibly alluding to President Donald Trump’s decision to halt trade discussions between the two countries. During a gathering at the Vatican, the first U.S. pope remarked that Canada and the United States are currently facing significant challenges, noting the shift in their once close alliance to a state of separation.
It is uncommon for the head of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church to address matters related to global trade or the internal politics of specific nations. While Leo had not previously commented on Trump’s trade policies, he has increasingly criticized the Trump administration’s handling of migrant issues, which has sparked criticism from some conservative Catholics.
The pope’s remarks came in response to a query from a Canadian bishop at an event focused on potential reforms within the global Church, part of an ongoing dialogue process. Leo pointed to the synod process as a valuable model that could offer insights for both the U.S. and Canada, emphasizing the importance of synodality, listening, and dialogue in everyday circumstances.