Pope Leo XIV loves to meet people, just not Trump

Key Points:

• Pope Leo XIV declined to attend President Donald Trump’s 250th America celebration in person, indicating he may be waiting out the current administration and hopes to return home within a few years.
• The pope has engaged with notable figures outside of Trump’s circle, including a memorable private audience with musician Patti Smith and a special request for Michael Bublé to perform “Ave Maria” at the Vatican’s Concert for the Poor.
• In November, Pope Leo XIV hosted a diverse group of cinema stars, urging them to include marginalized voices in their work, and accepted a Knicks jersey from director Spike Lee despite being a Chicago Bulls fan.
• The pope has also met with Olympic athletes, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, and longtime Trump critics such as Robert De Niro and Arnold Schwarzenegger, highlighting his focus on broader cultural and social issues.
• These interactions contrast with the limited attention given to Trump and his associates, such as JD Vance, who appears not to have captured the pontiff’s interest despite attempts to engage him.