Trump team miscalculates in taking on Vatican
The Pentagon’s attempt to strong-arm the Catholic Church into getting the pope on its “side,” even raising the possibility of military action against the Vatican, is monumentally hostile to religious freedom. But it’s also characteristic of this administration’s malignant ignorance of history, geopolitics and Christianity itself.
The Vatican is the oldest bureaucracy on Earth, and they’ve seen this before. Napoleon Bonaparte — who shared Donald Trump’s fixations on conquest and “size” — also threatened to destroy the Catholic Church. Adolf Hitler — who probably inspired this president’s passion for secret police and putting people in camps — plotted to kidnap the pope. So Leo XIV does not find Trump intimidating.
The Vatican benefits from the hard-earned wisdom of centuries of mistakes. Learning from the failure of the Crusades, its response to the global crises of the early 20th century was to do groundbreaking work in diplomacy and humanitarian aid. The Trump administration is hurtling our country in the other — wrong — direction. But they will learn nothing so long as other people pay the price.
Trump’s people also fail to realize that Christians understand power differently. We believe an all-powerful God assumed the humble identities of a refugee baby, a carpenter’s son and a condemned criminal. Jesus’ holiest followers have embraced his example of responding to violence not with fear or retribution, but by transforming it, often at the cost of their lives. The pope understands this, too.
As a Catholic, I love that Pope Leo’s public statements on Trump’s wars have only grown more direct and forceful following this sad attempt to silence him. The Chicago-born Leo embodies what U.S. moral leadership should look like on the world stage. He knows what it really means to be a Christian and an American in ways that Trump and his collaborators will never grasp.
Don Clemmer
Fort Wayne
Mall area better site for fieldhouse to succeed
I am writing one last time about the proposed North River Fieldhouse. I am all in favor of it and I see the benefit it would be to the city. I don’t believe North River is the right location.
Malls are a dying breed. Retail is rapidly changing from brick-and-mortar stores to online. We need to get in front of it.
Glenbrook Square will not survive in its current state. Putting the fieldhouse at that location with the attraction it provides will help rejuvenate that area. More restaurants and indoor recreation areas such as go-cart tracks and arcades will truly make that area attractive to the youth the fieldhouse will draw.
Please reconsider where this new fieldhouse should be built.
Mike Smallwood
Fort Wayne
Dedication defines Connolly
Having worked closely with Ewelina Connolly, I have witnessed her principled, values-driven leadership firsthand.
She operates with a high level of accountability and a clear commitment to fiscal responsibility, ensuring resources are managed with care and transparency. Just as important, Ewelina brings a genuine passion for serving people. She understands that strong communities are built through thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and long-term vision.
Allen County will benefit greatly from her steady approach, integrity and dedication to putting people first.
Tom Trent
Fort Wayne