Indiana
‘A symbol’: Central Indiana Catholics back the pope in feud with Trump
PLAINFIELD — Light spills from a window above a wooden fixture of the crucifixion at Saint Susanna Catholic Church as parishioners weave through the pews at the close of the 11 a.m. mass on a recent Sunday.
Most leave, but some stick around for coffee and doughnuts, a fundraising effort for the church’s prison ministry, which provides rosaries, Bibles and faith study materials to inmates at the Hendricks County Jail. In the hallway are stacks of letters to U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, Sen. Todd Young and Rep. Jim Baird, urging them to support programs to reduce hunger at home and abroad.
“Cuts to SNAP and international assistance have already put millions at risk,” the letter reads, citing Jesus’ refusal to turn a hungry crowd away in the Bible verse Matthew 14:16. “We can and must do better.”
Those cuts have been hallmarks of President Donald Trump’s administration, which has taken a less generous, and at times adversarial, approach to those in need globally as it looks to reduce spending. The strategy has contributed to a larger tension between Catholicism and the president; at the helm of this opposition is Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, whose criticisms of the war in Iran have increasingly landed him in Trump’s crosshairs.
But Catholics across the nation, including at Saint Susanna, told USAToday and IndyStar that they favor the pope’s approach.
“He has done it elegantly, but yet very stern,” Eloisa Garza, who helps run the prison ministry, said of Pope Leo after mass at Saint Susanna on April 26. “Being an American, which we are Americans, that’s what sometimes other countries look at us to do as leaders.”
Garza, 70, said she appreciates that Pope Leo has the courage to speak when the world needs a powerful voice rooted in faith. His role as the first American-born pope only adds to the impact, she said.
She runs the prison ministry along with Harla Lyle, 84, who also commended the pope for his “quiet, serene composure.”
Even when in conflict with some world leaders, Lyle said, Pope Leo sticks to faith.
“I think that he really is a symbol,” she said.
The trust in Pope Leo comes as the pontiff fields blistering attacks from Trump. After the pope called Trump’s threat of annihilation in Iran “unacceptable,” the president fired back that Pope Leo was “weak on crime.”
The tension between the two men is sometimes amplified by Vice President J.D. Vance, a Catholic himself who has openly disagreed with the pope and warned him to be “be careful” when discussing theology.
American Catholics have largely backed the pope in the past, and the broader public has continued to view the pope favorably. More than two-thirds of U.S. voters who are Catholic said they view the pope favorably, according to a November 2025 poll. Three-fifths of Americans in general view the pope in a positive light, too, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found in April.
Chicago native John Paloma, who now lives in Camby, Indiana, said he used to live “down the road” from where the pope grew up. Paloma said he appreciated that the pope has not engaged in extended battles with those who criticize him.
“There might be some controversy, but as long as he keeps to the faith, what could you say?” he said, sitting at a table after mass with fellow parishioners. “My hope is still high.”
Bob Duty, an 84-year-old man sitting with Paloma, shared a similarly positive view.
“I like the pope,” Duty told IndyStar. “He’s from America.”
Contact breaking politics reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@indystar.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador.
INDIANAPOLIS — Hoosiers looking to celebrate the Fourth of July may have to wait as severe weather is expected to blow in.
Around 7:20 p.m., Fourth Fest attendees in downtown Indianapolis were told to seek shelter due to storms in the area.
The fireworks show has been delayed and is now expected to start at 10:30 p.m. The full show can be viewed on FOX59 NOW.
Numerous central Indiana counties were under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch or Warning earlier Saturday evening.
CarmelFest has announced that its fireworks will continue as scheduled at 9:45 p.m.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
As many are celebrating America’s 250th birthday, a threat of severe weather looms, as watches and warnings have been issued for most Illinois and northwest Indiana counties for Saturday.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Kane and Kendall counties in Illinois until 3:45 p.m.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, Grundy, Kendall, and Will counties in Illinois and for Porter, Newton, Jasper, and Lake counties in Indiana until 7 p.m.
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Central Cook, De Kalb, DuPage, Eastern Will, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, La Salle, Northern Cook, Northern Will, Southern Cook, and Southern Will in Illinois and Lake in Indiana until 10 p.m.
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for De Kalb, La Salle, and Lee counties in Illinois until 5 p.m.
Storm Prediction Center has areas along and south of I-80 at a Level 1 (out of 5) for severe chances. Strong-to-severe storms are expected around 2 p.m. and sunset. Frequent lightning, damaging winds and torrential downpours may accompany the strongest storms.
Be sure to stick with CBS News Chicago and the First Alert Weather team for the latest.
TODAY
Mostly sunny and very warm to start, then the storm chance rises later in the day. Highs reach the upper 80s to near 90, with a light southwest breeze. A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 9 p.m. Saturday, and the better chance for showers and thunderstorms develops after mid afternoon, with any stronger storm capable of heavy downpours, hail, and damaging wind gusts.
TONIGHT
Showers and thunderstorms remain likely early in the evening, then coverage gradually trends lower later at night. Lows fall into the low 70s, with light wind. It does not look like nonstop rain, but evening outdoor plans, including fireworks, will need a weather eye.
TOMORROW
Partly sunny, warm, and still somewhat unsettled, with storms becoming more likely as the day goes on. Highs reach the mid 80s, with light wind. Much of the first half of the day looks more usable, but the second half becomes less reliable as showers and thunderstorms become more common.
TOMORROW NIGHT
Showers and thunderstorms remain likely early, then fade back later in the evening and overnight. Lows settle near 70. It should turn quieter with time, and the air will feel a little less oppressive than the previous few nights.
MONDAY
Partly sunny and still hot, but not quite as extreme as the holiday weekend. Highs reach the mid 80s, with a more humid feel and at least a low-end thunderstorm chance around. This looks more manageable than Saturday, but not completely quiet from start to finish.
MONDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy and seasonably mild, with lows in the mid 60s. Any leftover storm chance looks limited, and quieter weather should win out for most of the night.
TUESDAY
Clouds and sun mix with a stray thunderstorm chance, and highs recover into the mid 80s. Heat is still around, but not as punishing as the late-week surge, and much of the day still looks usable.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy and muggy again, with lows in the upper 60s. Quiet weather generally holds overnight, even if a completely dry forecast is not guaranteed.
WEDNESDAY
Mostly cloudy and humid with a thunderstorm possible in spots during the afternoon. Highs reach the mid 80s. This keeps the pattern a little unsettled, though it still does not look like an all-day rain setup.
7 DAY FORECAST
The main concerns are the late-day storm chance on the Fourth and then a hot, humid stretch that continues into next week. Saturday and Sunday both carry storm chances, with the Fourth looking more active later in the day and Sunday staying somewhat unsettled. After that, temperatures settle into the 80s with occasional storm chances lingering into midweek, so the pattern stays summerlike even though the worst of the heat eases back a bit.
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