Overview
- New Lenox police searched Pope Leo XIV’s brother’s home after a reported bomb threat, found no device, and said the investigation continues to identify who made the report.
- Officers evacuated nearby houses during the sweep as a precaution and warned that making false threats can lead to criminal charges.
- The scare followed days of sharp exchanges in which President Donald Trump called the pope “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy” and posted, then deleted, an AI image many saw as Jesus‑like.
- Pope Leo rejected the attacks, urged Americans to press Congress to work for peace in the Iran war, and drew support from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which said his remarks align with just war teaching.
- Catholic voters and leaders voiced anger over the rhetoric and the AI post, and analysts said the feud could hurt Trump with a key bloc before the midterms as Vice President JD Vance urged the Vatican to stick to theology.