Letters from Leo — the American Pope & US Politics | Christopher Hale | Substack

Letters from Leo is a chronicle of how Pope Leo XIV’s papacy intersects with American politics, faith, and the digital age during the presidency of Donald Trump. Click to read Letters from Leo — the American Pope & US Politics, by Christopher Hale, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.

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Letters from Leo — the American Pope & US Politics | Christopher Hale | Substack · Sep 16, 2026

LGBTQ ISSUES

Pope Leo XIV Names Another Pro-LGBT Bishop to Lead New Jersey Diocese

Cardinal Tobin ordained him. Right-wing Church Militant attacked him. Now Michael Saporito, who hosted gay Catholics at his Maplewood parish, gets 670,000 Catholics in central New Jersey.

TOKYONEWARKCHRISTOPHERTHOMAS HENNEN

Letters from Leo — the American Pope & US Politics | Christopher Hale | Substack · Sep 15, 2026

INTERNET CULTURE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Pope Leo XIV Does Tech Support and Tax Prep for His Brother in Suburban Chicago

John Prevost locked himself out of a new computer, propped his iPad on top of it, and called the Vatican. Then he told Italian TV what makes him proudest of his brother: “He hasn’t collapsed yet.”

CHICAGODOLTONROBERT PREVOSTJOHN PREVOST

Letters from Leo — the American Pope & US Politics | Christopher Hale | Substack · Sep 15, 2026

INTERNET CULTURE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

The Son of a Librarian: Pope Leo XIV Spends His 71st Birthday at the Vatican Library

Leo opened “AQVA,” a Vatican water exhibit, two weeks after MAGA Catholics mocked his water prayer. Plus seven rare photos of the pope, one from each decade of his life.

CHICAGOCHICAGO SVGDEACON NICK DONNELLYDE PAUL UNIVERSITY

Letters from Leo — the American Pope & US Politics | Christopher Hale | Substack · Sep 14, 2026

INTERNET CULTURE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Empathy Isn’t Optional For Christians

Pope Leo XIV told St. Peter’s Square on Sunday that forgiveness is indispensable, then turned to the 9/11 anniversary. Jesus says what happens to the servant who feels nothing for the man in his grip.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MUSEUM OF ARTCHRISTOPHER

Letters from Leo — the American Pope & US Politics | Christopher Hale | Substack · Sep 13, 2026

OCEAN AND MARINE SCIENCE

Conservatives Attack Pope Leo XIV’s Newest Black Bishop, Robert Boxie, for Calling Out Racism

Pope Leo made Robert Boxie the first African American bishop ordained in the U.S. in nearly a decade. Within hours, Calvin Robinson and a swarm of accounts turned on him — and some began defending the Confederate flag.

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