This has been a defining week for Catholics—and for Catholics Vote Common Good.

In the span of just a few days, we witnessed a stark contrast between what our faith calls us to be and what some in public life are willing to say and do. Easter, the most sacred celebration in Christianity, was met with rhetoric that was angry, profane, and rooted in division. At the same time, Catholic leaders stepped forward with clarity, humility, and moral courage—offering a very different vision grounded in the Gospel.

Moments like this demand more than observation. They require response. They require Catholics who are willing to name what is wrong, lift up what is right, and stay engaged in the work of building a politics that reflects human dignity and the common good.

That is exactly the work ahead of us.

-Denise Murphy McGraw

Catholics Vote Common Good National Co-Chair

Trump’s Disgusting Easter Message

Easter is the holiest day in the Christian calendar—a celebration of resurrection, hope, mercy, and the triumph of life over death. It is a moment that calls Christians to humility, compassion, and renewal.

Instead, President Donald Trump chose Easter to deliver a message laced with profanity and threats, doubling down on violent rhetoric toward Iran in a way that is profoundly at odds with the Gospel. There was no reflection, no reverence, no acknowledgment of the sacred meaning of the day—only anger and bravado.

As Catholics, this should disturb us deeply.

Our faith does not permit us to look the other way when political leaders exploit holy days for divisive or dangerous messaging. Catholic social teaching calls us to be peacemakers, to value human dignity, and to pursue diplomacy over destruction. Easter is about the defeat of death—not the glorification of it.

Silence in the face of this kind of rhetoric is not neutrality—it is complicity. Catholics must speak clearly: this is not who we are, and it is not what our faith teaches.

Must-See TV: Pope Leo XIV and American Cardinals Speak with Moral Clarity

If you watch one thing this week, make it this.

Pope Leo XIV is shaping the global moral conversation—and now we are hearing directly from American Catholic leaders about what his leadership means here at home.

On Sunday night, 60 Minutes featured a powerful and revealing segment on the impact of Pope Leo, including a rare joint interview with Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, D.C., and Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark. It was the first time these three senior leaders sat down together—and their message was striking.

They spoke candidly about Pope Leo’s influence, the moral challenges facing the country, and what they are hearing from Catholics in the pews. There was a clear throughline: Catholics are hungry for authenticity, moral clarity, and leadership rooted in the Gospel—not politics as usual.

From war and immigration to the divisions shaping American life, the cardinals reflected a Church that is engaging these issues head-on—guided by Pope Leo’s steady, values-driven voice.

This is what leadership looks like. This is what the Church at its best sounds like.

Watch it. Share it. Talk about it.

CLICK TO WATCH

Trump Attacks Pope Leo XIV—A Stunning Display of Disrespect

In response to the 60 Minutes segment, President Donald Trump did not simply disagree—he launched into a rambling, angry tirade attacking Pope Leo XIV in deeply inappropriate and disrespectful terms.

He called the Holy Father “weak on crime,” mocked his leadership, questioned his legitimacy, and suggested the Pope exists as a political counterweight to himself. He even went so far as to say he prefers the Pope’s brother because he is “all MAGA.”

Let’s be clear: this is not normal. And it is not acceptable.

For the President of the United States to speak about the leader of the Catholic Church in this way is not just political—it is a direct insult to Catholics around the world. It reflects a profound ignorance of the role of the papacy and a complete disregard for the moral authority of the Church.

The Pope is not a political appointee. He is not accountable to any president. He does not exist to affirm partisan power or remain silent in the face of injustice.

Pope Leo XIV is doing exactly what the Church calls him to do—speaking with moral clarity about war, human dignity, and the responsibilities of leadership. That witness is not weakness. It is courage.

What is truly revealing here is not anything about Pope Leo—but about the expectation behind the attack: that religious leaders should fall in line, stay quiet, or offer praise to political power.

That is not Catholicism.

Catholic teaching challenges power. It confronts injustice. It speaks truth—even when that truth is uncomfortable or unwelcome.

This kind of rhetoric is not just offensive—it is dangerous. It attempts to diminish the Church’s voice at the very moment it is most needed.

If you need to see it for yourself, watch the video and read the full posts below. The tone is even worse than the words:

CLICK TO READ

Catholics Vote Common Good at the DNC Spring Meeting

Catholics Vote Common Good was proud to be part of the Democratic National Committee’s Spring Meeting in New Orleans, where faith leaders from across the country gathered to discuss the role of moral leadership in politics.

Denise Murphy McGraw, National Co-Chair of Catholics Vote Common Good, joined Vote Common Good’s Doug Pagitt and a diverse group of interfaith leaders for a session focused on the importance of faith voices in shaping public life.

The conversation centered on how religious communities can help move our politics toward greater compassion, accountability, and the common good—values that are urgently needed in today’s environment.

While in New Orleans, Denise also met with key DNC staff and leadership, including Treasurer Virginia McGregor, to discuss Catholics Vote Common Good’s growing efforts in congressional districts with significant Catholic populations. The path forward is clear: Catholics have a critical role to play in shaping the outcome of key races across the country.

Join Us

This moment calls for courage, clarity, and commitment.

Catholics Vote Common Good is building a movement of people of faith who are ready to stand up, speak out, and put their values into action.

There is important work ahead—and we need you with us.

Join us today and be part of advancing a politics rooted in dignity, justice, and the common good—because our faith demands it, and this moment requires nothing less.

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