Sean Hannity drew a sharp line on air this week, and he did it in the middle of one of the most heated faith-and-politics fights now circling Washington and the Vatican.
During an April episode of Fox News’ Hannity, the longtime host said he no longer considers himself Catholic as the fallout between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV kept growing. The flashpoint came after the pope condemned war rhetoric and called out leaders who pour billions into destruction while basic human needs go unmet. Hannity made clear he was not with the Vatican on this one. He was with Trump.
Hannity Breaks With Catholicism On Air
Hannity did not soften the moment. “As of today, I no longer consider myself a Catholic. I am a Christian,” he said. He then turned his focus to Iran and questioned why the pope had not used harsher language against the regime. “Where are the pointed words for Iran? This evil regime. The number one state sponsor of terror. The people that murdered 40,000-45,000 innocent protestors. Not a peep from Pope Leo.”
The host also framed his split with the church as something deeper than one political fight. He told viewers he spent 12 years in Catholic school, attended a seminary in high school, studied theology and Latin, and went to Mass daily. Even so, he said he walked away because of what he called “institutionalized corruption” that stretched from the parish level to Rome.
“While I am a Christian, I left the Catholic church in large part because of institutionalized corruption,” Hannity said. “Others at the Vatican have totally lost sight of the true meaning of the bible and its teachings.”
Trump And The Vatican Keep Trading Heat
Earlier that day, Trump also made his position plain. “I have to do what’s right,” he told reporters outside the White House.
He later doubled down on social media, writing, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela,” before launching into a broader defense of his foreign policy posture.
Pope Leo, for his part, delivered his own stinging message. “The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild,” he said. “They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education, and restoration are nowhere to be found.”
So, where does this leave Hannity? In his view, disagreement with the pope is not just allowed. It is necessary. And in this fight, he made it crystal clear which side he thinks deserves his loyalty.
