Pope Leo Meets Sánchez on June 8 as Both Sharpen Opposition to Trump
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 8
Pope Leo Meets Sánchez on June 8 as Both Sharpen Opposition to Trump
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 8
Summary
Pope Leo and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez were set to meet Monday morning, a pairing widely seen by liberals as a joint front against President Trump.
Cardinal José Cobo of Madrid said the two "have the same voice" on Trump, after Leo criticized the war in Iran and said he had "no fear" of the Trump administration.
Sánchez has also clashed with Trump over NATO spending, migration and the wars in Gaza and Iran, making the meeting a useful display of alignment.
For Sánchez, in power for 8 years, the Vatican appearance could lift his international profile as corruption allegations around former allies and family fuel pressure at home.
Analysts say the biggest political payoff may come if Trump attacks both men after the meeting, potentially energizing Sánchez's base in an already polarized Spain.