US President Donald Trump sharply escalated tensions with the Vatican on Monday, launching a pointed and highly personal attack on Pope Leo XIV over his criticism of US military actions in Iran and Venezuela.
The remarks signal an extraordinary clash between the US presidency and the head of the Catholic Church.
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” he wrote, in what became the defining line of a tirade that ran to several hundred words and touched on immigration, nuclear weapons, Venezuela, Covid-era church closures and the Pope’s brother.
Prayer For Peace Triggers Political Firestorm Between Trump, Pope Leo
The outburst follows growing friction after Pope Leo condemned the US-led war in Iran. The immediate trigger appeared to be a prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica, where the pope criticised what he called the “delusion of omnipotence” behind the conflict, urging leaders to pursue peace.
“Enough of the idolatry of self and money!” Pope Leo had said. “Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!,” he added.
In his post, Trump also accused the Pope of defendingIran’s nuclear ambitions and opposing US actions in Venezuela. “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country,” he remarked.
From Iran War To MAGA Politics: Trump Expands Attack On Pope
The US President also claimed influence over the Pope’s election, stating, “Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise. He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump. If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”
The Republican leader also drew a comparison with the Pope’s brother. “I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!” Trump remarked.
Trump suggested that the Pope “get his act together,” accusing him of attempting to become a politician. He also slammed him for meeting David Axelrod, the Democratic strategist and former adviser to Barack Obama, whom Trump described as “a LOSER from the Left, who is one of those who wanted churchgoers and clerics to be arrested.”
“Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!,” he concluded.
Speaking to reporters shortly afterwards, Trump was equally blunt. “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job,” he said, adding, “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo.”
