3 American Catholic Cardinals in Historic 60 Minutes Interview Defend Pope Leo XIV and a Moral Stand Against War

Faith in the Crossfire: U.S. Cardinals Defend Pope Leo’s Moral Leadership Amid Rising Tensions with Iran

CHICAGO — In a historic "first of its kind" joint interview with CBS’s Norah O’Donnell on 60 Minutes, three of the most prominent leaders of the Catholic Church in the United States—Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, joined by his brother Cardinals from Washington, D.C., and New Jersey— Cardinal Robert W. McElroy and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark. They began by giving their impressions of the first U.S. pope, Pope Leo XIV and stood in solidarity with Pope Leo’s increasingly vocal critiques of modern warfare and immigration enforcement.

The interview, which aired as a critical ten-day window closes on the nuclear standoff between the United States and Iran, highlights a deepening rift between the Holy See and the current administration.

A Message of Presence: Lampedusa Over Liberty

One of the most striking points of contention discussed was Pope Leo’s decision to bypass the United States’ 250th-anniversary celebrations this July 4th. Despite his own roots as a Chicagoan, the Holy Father announced he will instead spend the day in Lampedusa, Italy—a Mediterranean island that has become a symbol of the global migrant crisis.

When asked by Norah O’Donnell if the move was a deliberate snub to the American bicentennial plus fifty, Cardinal Cupich framed the decision as a pastoral priority rather than a political slight.

"He’s sending a message that his top priority right now is to be with those who are downcast and marginalized," Cupich said.

The Gospel vs. The Tarmac

The Cardinals’ defense of the Pope’s "pro-peace" agenda drew swift condemnation from President Trump. Speaking from the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews shortly after the interview, the President criticized the Pontiff’s influence on foreign policy, suggesting the Pope "get his act together" and stop "catering to the radical left."

"We don’t want a Pope that says crime is okay in our cities," the President stated, adding that he is "not a big fan" of the current Holy Father.

Cardinal Cupich, however, anticipated this pushback. In a follow-up conversation, he rejected the notion that the Church is simply playing politics. He argued that the Church’s intervention is a necessary response to the "dehumanization" of victims in the Iran conflict.

"I want to preach the Gospel," Cupich said. "God wants us to promote peace in the world because His desire is that we be one human family."

A Moral Stand Against War

The Cardinals were particularly pointed regarding the human cost of the war in Iran. All three prelates have become increasingly critical of the United States’ role in the conflict, with Cardinal Cupich describing the "entertainment" value placed on war as "sickening."

The Cardinals emphasized three core areas of concern:

• Human Dignity: Identifying violations of dignity regardless of borders.

• The Dehumanization of Victims: Resisting the trend of turning the suffering of children and soldiers into a media spectacle.

• Moral Consequences: Ensuring that the faithful understand the ethical weight of military actions.

The Role of the Church in the Public Square

Addressing those in the pews who prefer their priests to remain silent on civic issues, the Cardinals insisted that silence is not an option when human rights are at stake.

"The teaching of the Church is not about taking a political position," Cupich explained. "It’s making sure that we introduce an understanding of what the moral consequences are of actions."

As the deadline with Iran looms, the American hierarchy appears more aligned than ever with the Vatican's stance: that power must be used to secure rights and dignity, rather than simply to "win the day."