President Trump's attacks on Pope Leo XIV—including a social media post depicting himself as a Christ-like figure—have drawn widespread backlash from Catholics across party lines, with some predicting lasting damage to Republican support among Catholic voters.

Analysts note that while Catholics had been shifting toward Trump in recent elections, his escalating feud with the first American pope may accelerate a broader realignment ahead of the midterms.

Margaret Susan Thompson, professor of history and political science, tells ABC News there has been a growing division between liberal and conservative American Catholics over the last couple of years, fueled by Leo's and predecessor Pope Francis' progressive leadership.

"I think [Trump] is losing even some of his [Catholic] supporters, or they are moderating their support," she says, noting that Trump's comments have been so harsh and controversial that even conservative-leaning Catholics are speaking out against the president and defending Leo.

In an interview with NPR, Thompson says, “We have an administration, not just a president, but an administration that is speaking out in more overtly religious terms than even somebody like Jimmy Carter.”