COLUMN: When the First American Pope Challenges Trump’s Power

An Increasingly Bellicose Tone

Tensions between Washington and Havana have reached alarming levels in recent weeks, with increasingly hostile statements from the Trump administration. One White House official, in particular, described Cuban leaders as “incompetent Marxists who have destroyed their country,” adding threateningly that Cuba should “reach an agreement before it’s too late .” This type of language, which implicitly evokes catastrophic military or economic consequences for the Caribbean island, is part of a pattern of intimidation reminiscent of the worst methods of past U.S. foreign policy. The stated ambition to install Marco Rubio, the current U.S. Secretary of State of Cuban origin, as Cuba’s new president represents an unprecedented level of interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.

I am literally appalled by this language. “Incompetent Marxists”? Seriously? Is this the level of political debate in 2026? Judging by these statements, it seems that Trump and his cronies have completely lost all sense of diplomacy, any notion of respect for the sovereignty of other nations. They talk about Cuba as if it were a game of Monopoly, as if they could simply move pieces around and change the rules as they please. And Marco Rubio as president of Cuba… it’s so absurd that it would be laughable if it weren’t so dangerous. Imagine for a moment the reaction of Americans if Cuba announced that it wanted to install a figure from the U.S. opposition as president of the United States. There would be riots. Why would it be any different when it’s Washington pulling the strings?

The Determination of a Nation

Faced with this U.S. diplomatic and media offensive, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel responded with unwavering resolve. On January 11, on Platform X, he stated that “Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation. No one dictates to us what we do.” The Cuban leader also emphasized that his country “does not attack but has been attacked by the United States for sixty-six years,” adding that Cuba “does not threaten but is preparing, ready to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood.” This statement of fierce determination stands in stark contrast to the image of a weakened regime that the Trump administration is trying to project to justify its intervention. Cuba, despite seventy years of the U.S. embargo and major economic difficulties, continues to demonstrate a resilience that defies U.S. predictions of its imminent collapse.

There is something deeply admirable about Díaz-Canel’s response. Despite all the pressure, despite decades of the embargo, despite constant attempts at destabilization, Cuba remains standing. And it is this ability to resist that seems to frustrate Trump so much. He wants an easy victory, a quick triumph—something he can brandish before his supporters as proof of his power. But Cuba isn’t giving him what he wants. And that is precisely what makes the situation so dangerous. When a man like Trump feels frustrated, when his ego is wounded, he becomes unpredictable. And an unpredictable president with the U.S. military at his disposal… that is the very definition of a nightmare.

A Cause for Concern

The fears expressed by Pope Leo XIV are not unfounded. They are part of a broader context of aggressive activism by the Trump administration on the international stage, particularly in Latin America. On January 3, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was the victim of a kidnapping for which Washington is directly blamed. According to several observers, this operation is now serving as an operational model for Trump’s planned intervention in Cuba. The pope has already condemned this act and what he described as a “growing zeal for war” among political leaders, expressing his “deep concern” for the Venezuelan people. This escalation in U.S. interventionist methods represents a clear break with traditional diplomatic norms and marks a return to practices that many thought had been consigned to history since the end of the Cold War.

I can’t help but wonder how the world would have reacted if another power had kidnapped a foreign president. The condemnation would have been unanimous. Sanctions would have been immediate. But when it’s the United States… the silence is deafening. This double standard is absolutely unbearable. And the scariest part? It’s that no one seems to have an answer. How do we respond when the world’s greatest power unilaterally decides to change the rules of the game? How do we stop a train hurtling at full speed without getting run over? It’s this powerlessness that makes my blood run cold. We are all witnessing something historic—but not in a good way. We are watching in real time as the international order we took for granted crumbles before our eyes.

A Voice That Matters

Pope Leo XIV’s statement cannot be reduced to a mere statement of circumstance. It is part of a millennia-old tradition of Vatican diplomacy, traditionally characterized by its neutrality and its pursuit of peace. The decision by the first American pope to take such a clear stand against his own country’s policies carries considerable symbolic significance. This is not the first time Leo XIV has opposed Trump: he has previously criticized his immigration policy and his positions on the death penalty, highlighting the contradictions between “pro-life” rhetoric and support for the harshest measures against immigrants. His meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, followed by condemnations of U.S. actions in Venezuela, demonstrates consistency in his defense of the principles of sovereignty and non-interference.

There is a certain irony in all of this. The first American pope—the one we might have expected to defend his country’s interests—has instead become its most vocal critic. And that is exactly what makes his voice so powerful. When a European or Asian diplomat criticizes America, Washington can simply brush it off. “It’s just anti-Americanism,” they’ll say. But when it’s an American pope, born in Chicago, who grew up on the same streets as many of those who vote for Trump… that really stings. It forces them to look in the mirror. And what they see there must be terribly uncomfortable.

A World in Turmoil

The international community is watching this escalation with growing concern. The United States’ traditional allies, particularly in Europe, have expressed reservations about these interventionist methods, which are reminiscent of the worst excesses of 20th-century U.S. foreign policy. In Latin America, the reactions are more vehement: many governments view Trump’s plan for Cuba as a direct threat to their own sovereignty. The possibility that the United States might one day unilaterally decide to change their government fuels fears and strengthens anti-American sentiment in the region. The United Nations and the Organization of American States have called for calm and respect for international law, but these appeals seem to have little impact on a Trump administration convinced of its historic mission.

It’s fascinating to see how the world has changed in just a few years. Not long ago, America was seen as the undisputed defender of democracy and freedom. Today? I’m not sure many countries still believe that narrative. American credibility has been eroded, blow by blow, decision by decision. And that, perhaps, is the greatest damage caused by this presidency. Because even after Trump leaves office, even if the next president wants to return to more reasonable policies… trust isn’t rebuilt overnight. The world remembers. The world does not forgive.

Section 8: Implications for Vatican-U.S. Relations

An Unprecedented Rift

Relations between the Vatican and Washington are undoubtedly going through one of their most serious crises in decades. Pope Leo XIV’s decision to speak out publicly against the Trump administration’s plans marks a significant break with the tradition of discretion that has generally characterized papal diplomacy. This stance sets a dangerous precedent: from now on, the United States might be tempted to question the Vatican’s neutrality and accuse the Holy See of political bias. Plans to create a “Peace Council”—in which Trump had hoped the pope would participate—now appear to be in jeopardy, as many observers believe that such an association would compromise the Vatican’s centuries-old neutrality. Discussions on this subject between the two sides seem to have reached an impasse.

I often wonder if Trump truly realizes what he’s doing. When he attacks institutions that have survived centuries of turmoil, when he provokes confrontations that could have consequences for generations to come… does he really understand the magnitude of his actions? Or is it all just a giant chess game to him, where every piece can be sacrificed to win? The danger of this approach is that it doesn’t allow for a Plan B. When you break alliances that took centuries to build, you can’t simply patch things back together the next day. Some damage is irreversible. And I fear we’re only at the beginning.

Section 9: The Humanitarian Situation in Cuba

A People Caught in the Crossfire

Amid this diplomatic crisis, we must not forget the Cuban people, who have been suffering for decades from the consequences of the U.S. embargo and structural economic difficulties. The current tensions only exacerbate an already precarious situation. The Pope has expressed his deep concern for the “suffering of the dear Cuban people”—a suffering that could worsen considerably if the Trump administration were to carry out its threats of new economic sanctions or, worse still, military intervention. Humanitarian organizations on the ground report increasingly severe shortages of medicine, food, and basic necessities—a situation that any further conflict would only make worse. The Cuban people, however, continue to show remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.

That’s what breaks my heart. Amid all these political maneuvers, all these strategic calculations, all this diplomatic jargon… there are eleven million people simply trying to live their lives. Families worrying about their children, doctors trying to care for their patients with limited resources, artists who continue to create despite everything. And all of this because powerful men in Washington and Havana are playing a deadly game in which they themselves risk nothing. War, intervention, regime change… these are abstract words to those who decide them. But for ordinary Cubans, they are concrete, terrifying, devastating realities.

Conclusion: A Moment of Truth

An Uncertain Future

As the world holds its breath, the confrontation between Pope Leo XIV and Donald Trump over Cuba symbolizes something greater than a mere diplomatic dispute. It represents the conflict between two radically different visions of America’s role in the world: that of a power that imposes its will through force and intimidation, and that of an international community that respects the sovereignty and dignity of all nations. The coming months will be decisive not only for Cuba’s future, but for the future of the international order itself. If Washington persists in its determination to change the Cuban regime through force or subversion, it risks triggering a major crisis whose consequences could destabilize the entire Caribbean and Latin American region. The Pope’s voice, despite criticism from some, remains an important reminder that even the greatest powers are not above the moral laws that govern relations between nations.

When I look at what is happening, when I read the statements from both sides, when I see the direction the world is taking… I cannot help but feel a deep sense of melancholy. We were supposed to be moving toward a world that is more just, more peaceful, and more respectful of human dignity. Instead, we have returned to the era of coups d’état and imperialist interference. And the saddest part is that we seem to have accepted this regression as our new normal. Perhaps Léon XIV, with his calm but firm voice, can rouse us. Perhaps he can remind us that power without morality is nothing more than barbarism with a flag. Or perhaps we’ve already gone too far down this dangerous path. I don’t know. But what I do know is that history is judging us. And I fear that our generation will not pass this test with flying colors.

Signed, Jacques Provost

An Unprecedented Break

Relations between the Vatican and Washington are undoubtedly going through one of their most serious crises in decades. Pope Leo XIV’s decision to speak out publicly against the Trump administration’s plans marks a significant break with the tradition of discretion that has generally characterized papal diplomacy. This stance sets a dangerous precedent: from now on, the United States might be tempted to question the Vatican’s neutrality and accuse the Holy See of political bias. Plans to create a “Peace Council”—in which Trump had hoped the pope would participate—now appear to be in jeopardy, as many observers believe that such an association would compromise the Vatican’s centuries-old neutrality. Discussions on this subject between the two sides seem to have reached an impasse.

I often wonder if Trump truly realizes what he’s doing. When he attacks institutions that have survived centuries of turmoil, when he provokes confrontations that could have consequences for generations to come… does he really understand the magnitude of his actions? Or is it all just a giant chess game to him, where every piece can be sacrificed to win? The danger of this approach is that it doesn’t allow for a Plan B. When you shatter alliances that took centuries to build, you can’t simply patch things up the next day. Some damage is irreversible. And I fear we’re only at the beginning.

A People Caught in the Crossfire

Amid this diplomatic crisis, we must not forget the Cuban people, who have been suffering for decades from the consequences of the U.S. embargo and structural economic difficulties. The current tensions only serve to exacerbate an already precarious situation. The Pope has expressed his deep concern for the “suffering of the dear Cuban people”—a suffering that could worsen considerably if the Trump administration were to carry out its threats of new economic sanctions or, worse still, military intervention. Humanitarian organizations on the ground report increasingly severe shortages of medicine, food, and basic necessities—a situation that any further conflict would only make worse. The Cuban people, however, continue to show remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.

That’s what breaks my heart. Amid all these political maneuvers, all these strategic calculations, all this diplomatic jargon… there are eleven million people simply trying to live their lives. Families worrying about their children, doctors trying to care for their patients with limited resources, artists who continue to create despite everything. And all of this because powerful men in Washington and Havana are playing a deadly game in which they themselves risk nothing. War, intervention, regime change… these are abstract words to those who decide them. But for ordinary Cubans, they are concrete, terrifying, devastating realities.

An Uncertain Future

As the world holds its breath, the confrontation between Pope Leo XIV and Donald Trump over Cuba symbolizes something greater than a mere diplomatic dispute. It represents the conflict between two radically different visions of America’s role in the world: that of a power that imposes its will through force and intimidation, and that of an international community that respects the sovereignty and dignity of all nations. The coming months will be decisive not only for Cuba’s future, but for the future of the international order itself. If Washington persists in its determination to change the Cuban regime through force or subversion, it risks triggering a major crisis whose consequences could destabilize the entire Caribbean and Latin American region. The Pope’s voice, despite criticism from some, remains an important reminder that even the greatest powers are not above the moral laws that govern relations between nations.

When I look at what is happening, when I read the statements from both sides, when I see the direction the world is taking… I cannot help but feel a deep sense of melancholy. We were supposed to be moving toward a world that is more just, more peaceful, and more respectful of human dignity. Instead, we have returned to the era of coups d’état and imperialist interference. And the saddest part is that we seem to have accepted this regression as our new normal. Perhaps Léon XIV, with his calm but firm voice, can rouse us. Perhaps he can remind us that power without morality is nothing more than barbarism with a flag. Or perhaps we’ve already gone too far down this dangerous path. I don’t know. But what I do know is that history is judging us. And I fear that our generation will not pass this test with flying colors.

Signed, Jacques Provost