Trump attacks Pope over criticism of Iran war
Trump Criticizes Pope for Stance on Iran War and Immigration
US President Donald Trump has issued a sharp critique of Pope Leo, focusing on his opposition to American immigration policies and the conflict in Iran. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump labeled the pontiff as “weak on crime and poor on foreign policy,” later elaborating to reporters that he “wasn’t a big fan” of the Pope. This came during Pope Leo’s ongoing 11-day visit to Africa, his second major international trip since taking office.
The Pope has consistently voiced concerns about the war, calling Trump’s claim to obliterate Iranian civilization “truly unacceptable” and urging the president to pursue a “peaceful exit” from the conflict. He also raised questions about the alignment of Trump’s strict immigration measures with the Catholic Church’s pro-life principles. Trump’s remarks appeared to target the Pope’s perceived softness on nuclear proliferation, referencing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions as a justification for the war.
“Pope Leo should reorganize his approach,” Trump remarked in his post. “He’s weak on nuclear weapons, and they believed that would be the best way to handle me.”
Trump further suggested that the Pope’s election was influenced by his American identity, implying that his papacy was chosen “to counteract my leadership.” When asked to clarify, he stated, “I think he’s not performing well. He likes crime, I guess.” He added, “He’s a liberal, and he doesn’t believe in curbing crime. He doesn’t think we should engage with a nation aiming for nuclear power to destroy the world.”
The Pope, however, has long advocated for global peace, criticizing escalating violence and calling for restraint. In his Easter message, he noted that people had become “accustomed to violence” and “indifferent to thousands of deaths,” urging leaders to “choose peace over war.” His comments have drawn backlash from some Catholics, with one scholar likening the attack to historical tensions between the Pope and fascist leaders like Hitler and Mussolini.
“Not even Hitler or Mussolini criticized the Pope so openly and directly,” remarked Massimo Faggioli, as reported by Reuters.