I know I might very well get a few veterans upset...but I must speak the truth. As our Holy Father, Pope Leo, and our President, Mr. Trump, are having a bit of a tiff, many around us seem to be taking sides based on their personal opinions (which is what the majority of the world's population does). As a priest, I tend to stay out of political issues, and try to keep myself limited to religious issues. Yes, the two do overlap sometimes, and it appears to be that way this time. Is a debate between Pope Leo and President Trump political or religious? Pope Leo sure seemed to say political types of things in criticism of the Trump administration. President Trump sure seemed to say religious things (and with an AI image portray himself in a blasphemous religious manner!) in an apparent jab at the Holy Father. So, yes, it is quite clearly political and religious. So, here is the issue at hand. It does not matter whether I agree with the American President (I do not). Nor does it matter whether I agree with the Holy Father (and I am still struggling with that one). What matters, in this kerfuffle, and every one that arises in the future, as that I am a Catholic first, and my citizenship as an American comes after that (maybe not even second, but definitely after). My loyalties do not lie with my country before my Church. America is merely where I live, but the Catholic Church is that which was founded directly and immediately by Christ Jesus the Lord of all creation. America may be blessed by God (at least in so far as it is faithful to Him, and that is not much lately), but the Catholic Church (and no other denomination) is perfectly protected by God until the end of time. Even if I completely agreed with President Trump (and I definitely do not), and completely disagreed with the Holy Father (and I definitely do not), I would still only pledge absolute and full allegiance to the Church that Jesus gave us. So, then, who do I side with in this recent debate? Pope Leo and President Trump both have their opinions, and make their choices in what they say and do. I, however, will only vow obedience to Pope Leo XIV; everything else is secondary.