Trump Attacks Pope Over Criticism of Iran War
President Donald Trump recently issued a pointed critique of Pope Leo, targeting his stance on U.S. immigration policies and the ongoing conflict with Iran. In a post on Truth Social, he described the pontiff as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” later adding that he “wasn’t a big fan” of the Pope’s leadership. The comments followed the Pope’s recent public condemnation of Trump’s military threats against Iran.
The Pope has long opposed the war, calling Trump’s remarks about destroying Iranian civilization “unacceptable” and urging a strategic shift to end the conflict. He also questioned whether Trump’s strict immigration policies aligned with the Catholic Church’s pro-life principles. This exchange occurred as the Pope prepared for an 11-day journey to Africa, his second major diplomatic mission since taking office.
Trump’s criticism focused on the Pope’s perceived weaknesses, particularly regarding nuclear weapons. He implied that the pontiff failed to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which he argued justified the U.S.-Israel attack. “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump remarked, suggesting the Pope’s election was motivated by his American identity.
“Not even Hitler or Mussolini attacked the Pope so directly and publicly,” said Massimo Faggioli, a Catholic scholar cited by Reuters, in response to the controversy. The comparison highlighted the sharp tone of Trump’s remarks, which some viewed as an overreach.
During a later press briefing, Trump elaborated: “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job, he likes crime, I guess.” He further claimed the Pope was “a very liberal person” who “doesn’t believe in stopping crime” and “doesn’t believe we should be toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon.” These assertions sparked backlash from Catholics, who emphasized the Pope’s role in promoting peace.
The Pope has used multiple public speeches to advocate for global de-escalation, particularly in the Middle East. While Trump threatened Iran with war, stating that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” the Pope responded by urging calm and diplomacy. “Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace,” he said in an Easter address, without naming specific countries.
