Bad American, good American – How Leo is emerging as the other American leader

It is hardly a contested statement to suggest that Donald Trump is not a universally-loved President of the United States.

Polls carried out in Continental Europe show him to have very low likeability ratings: 77% of the French have an unfavourable view: 79% of the Germans, ditto. In Spain, his unfavourability rate rises to 80% and in Denmark, 91%. Italy is the least negative – only 64% dislike the Donald. In Ireland – 75% of the population, this year, were opposed to Mr Trump making a state visit to this country.

No, Mr Trump does not have a beloved image abroad, and he is currently losing support at home as well”

Rosie O’Donnell, the American gay comedian who fled the United States to live in Dublin because of Trump’s presence in the White House, recently told the Washington Post that Irish people say to her – “We hate him too”.

No, Mr Trump does not have a beloved image abroad, and he is currently losing support at home as well. From arbitrarily bombing vessels near Venezuela to insulting an experienced female reporter with the rebuff “Quiet, Piggy”, most comments on the American president have been negative.

This Presidency certainly doesn’t present a pleasing image of America, which in former times was benevolently seen as ‘Good Old Uncle Sam’ – that generous country across the Atlantic which was once the land of sunny promise.

But there’s another globally famous American whose profile is increasingly showing the world the sweeter side of those Yanks: Pope Leo XIV, who, according to Gallup, is the “most favourably viewed newsmaker in the world”. In America itself, Pew Research finds that 84% of American Catholics favour Leo highly; and overall he is much admired and liked.

The contrast between the political American leader and the spiritual American pontiff is one of personality as well as role. Where Donald is bombastic and boastful, Leo is quiet and modest. Where Mr Trump is egotistical and swaggering, Leo is listening and appreciative.

The Pope

The Pope’s recent visit to Lebanon was such a moving occasion of healing and joy to a country which has been through decades of torment – rent by civil war, attacked by both Hezbollah and Israel, its fabric torn apart by its geography, and sometimes by its politics.

Perhaps, to give Mr Trump the benefit of the doubt, he means well in his endeavours”

At the end of his apostolic visit Leo humbly said: “The Lebanese were waiting for words of consolation and a comforting presence – but it was they who comforted me with their faith and enthusiasm.”

A binary image emerges – Leo is the Good American, while Donald Trump can be perceived as that Graham Greene caricature, the arrogant Ugly American.

Perhaps, to give Mr Trump the benefit of the doubt, he means well in his endeavours. Perhaps he really does want to bring peace to the Middle East, and end the war in Ukraine fairly.  Perhaps he only levies tariffs on trade because he wants to protect American jobs.

And perhaps Pope Leo isn’t perfect in all that he does – some will criticise his softly conciliatory view of Islamic migration, or conclude he is not doing enough for women.

But Leo is surely the well-loved American leader who is much in contrast to the other one. Even Rosie O’Donnell, whose comedy barbs have often been aimed at the Catholic church, may concede that the Pope now represents the better side of her native land.

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Eurovision exit, stage left

I daresay the folks at RTÉ who decided to pull Ireland from next year’s Eurovision sincerely believe they are doing the right thing. I am just rather relieved not to have to view another performance like that of Bambi Thug’s, last year’s RTÉ entry. Depressing to the point of being Satanic.

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A new collection of the poems of Seamus Heaney has been published recently, and it will make a wonderful Christmas gift for the many fans of this exceptional Irish poet.  But sad to say, despite huge respect for Seamus, I have never really ‘got’ his poetry.

I appreciate how accomplished it is, and I know his verse has touched the hearts and souls of, probably, millions. I also acknowledge that Heaney is, objectively, one of the greatest ever Irish poets.

He was also a very nice man, and extremely kind in person. I observed him in a session at Listowel Writers’ Week some years ago when he was so encouraging, patient and gentle with everyone, including shy young would-be versifiers. He was simply lovely.

So why don’t I feel moved by Seamus Heaney’s poetry? A friend – like myself a native Dubliner – suggested that the poems essentially appeal to country people, to those steeped in rural sensibilities. (Queen Elizabeth, a countrywoman at heart, loved Heaney’s verse.) The references are rooted in the soil.  Is this so?

Yet Patrick Kavanagh is also rooted in the soil, and his poetry speaks to me. Perhaps in the end, poetry, like humour, is simply very personal – and I’m just in a minority.