Jonathan Nez Responds to President Trump’s Statements Regarding Pope Leo XIV

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: 4/13/2026

FLAGSTAFF, AZ — Jonathan Nez, candidate for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District and the former President of the Navajo Nation, released the following statement in response to the President’s attacks on Pope Leo XIV.

Statement from Jonathan Nez, Candidate for Congress, AZ-02:

“The statements from President Trump directed at Pope Leo XIV are deeply concerning and do nothing to bring people together or work toward a peaceful solution in the Middle East. In a time when our military servicemen are putting their lives on the line, our leaders must choose unity, respect, and prayer over division.

We can disagree on foreign policy without undermining faith and dignity. The ongoing conflict in Iran demands thoughtful leadership, diplomacy, and a commitment to protecting all human life. I commend Pope Leo’s calls for peace and reconciliation. As Pope Leo has reminded all of us and the bible says, ‘Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be the Children of God (Matthew 5:9).’

Our leaders have a responsibility to lessen the public anger, respect one another, and work toward solutions that reflect our shared humanity."

About Jonathan Nez: Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, the 2024 Democratic nominee for Congress in AZ-02, grew up in rural Arizona, helping his family run a ranch without running water or electricity. Nez began his career in public service in his community of Shonto on the Navajo Nation, serving in a number of positions before being elected President of the Navajo Nation in 2018. He is running for Congress to lower costs for families, deliver water security to all Arizonans, and give rural Arizonans a voice in Congress. He lives in Flagstaff with his wife, Phefelia, and their two boys.