Donald Trump launched an unprecedented and personal attack on Pope Leo XIV this past Sunday, escalating tensions between the White House and the Vatican. The first American pope was criticized by Trump for his remarks on U.S. military action in Iran and Venezuela.
The former president took to Truth Social and later addressed reporters at Joint Base Andrews, where he did not hold back. “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump declared in a lengthy post that spanned several hundred words. He also touched on immigration, nuclear weapons, and COVID-era church closures, indicating a broad range of grievances against the pope.
The clash appears to have been sparked by a prayer service Leo led at St. Peter’s Basilica, coinciding with U.S.-Iran negotiations in Pakistan. During this service, Leo condemned the “delusion of omnipotence” driving military conflicts, urging political leaders to cease hostilities and pursue peace. Although he did not explicitly name Trump or the U.S., the pope’s message seemed directed at the administration, which has faced scrutiny for its aggressive military actions framed in ideological and religious terms.
Trump’s criticism intensified following Leo’s escalating statements against the war, especially after he described Trump’s threat to obliterate Iranian civilization as “truly unacceptable.” The Vatican is particularly concerned about the impacts of military conflict on Christian communities in regions like Lebanon, further complicating the diplomatic landscape.
In his diatribe, Trump accused Leo of enabling Iran’s nuclear ambitions and opposing U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, which Trump described as a nation flooding the U.S. with drugs and releasing dangerous criminals. He suggested that Leo failed to advocate for religious freedoms during the pandemic, highlighting a perceived inconsistency in the pope’s criticisms.
Trump even claimed credit for Leo’s elevation to the papacy, asserting that, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.” The former president further commented on Leo’s brother, Louis, expressing a preference for Louis, whom he described as more aligned with his views, saying, “Louis is all MAGA.”
Concluding his remarks, Trump reiterated his stance against papal criticism of U.S. foreign policy, asserting that he was elected in a landslide to act decisively, which included addressing crime and economic prosperity. He urged Leo to focus on his role as a spiritual leader rather than engaging in politics, warning that his approach was detrimental to both his reputation and the Catholic Church.
The geopolitical tensions stem largely from the ongoing U.S.-led military actions against Iran, rooted in a long-standing standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program. The U.S. has justified these actions on security grounds, while also citing the need to address sanctions and military pressure on Venezuela. The Vatican has historically advocated for the wellbeing of civilians affected by these conflicts, emphasizing a distinction that Trump views as conflicting with American policy.
In a rapidly changing world, this extraordinary public dispute underscores not only the complexities of international relations but also the profound intersection between politics and religious authority.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/world/pope-leo-is-weak-trump-launches-unprecedented-attack-on-first-american-pope-catholic-church-over-iran-war-11776043266411.html
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Publish Date: 2026-04-13 07:12:00
