President Donald Trump launched a series of attacks against Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, criticizing the pontiff’s stance on Iran and labeling him “weak” and “terrible” on both crime and foreign policy. The president also stated he was “not a fan” of Pope Leo, and suggested he “stop catering to the Radical Left.”
The unusual broadside followed Pope Leo’s denouncement of the “delusion of omnipotence” fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, urging political leaders to negotiate peace. The U.S.-born pope, who previously presided over a prayer service during ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Pakistan, has repeatedly criticized the conflict and other Trump administration priorities.
Trump further asserted he “doesn’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” and described Leo as “a very liberal person.” He made these comments both on social media and to reporters after returning to Washington from Florida.
Pope Leo, originally from Chicago, has also been critical of the administration’s immigration policies, and has appealed to the faithful to pressure their representatives to end the war in Iran. He is scheduled to begin an 11-day trip to Africa on Monday.