U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Pope Leo XIV in a social media post, calling the Catholic leader “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” in an escalating public dispute between the two figures.
Trump’s comments followed recent remarks by the pope condemning the ongoing war involving the United States and Iran, which he described as unjust and dangerous.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote in the post.
He also said, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”
Speaking later, Trump added, “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” and described him as “a very liberal person.”
The Vatican has not officially responded, but Catholic leaders pushed back against the criticism.
Archbishop Paul Coakley said he was “disheartened” by the remarks, adding, “The Pope is not a politician; he speaks for the care of souls.”
Pope Leo, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, has repeatedly called for peace and warned against using religion to justify war.
He recently said, “God does not bless any conflict.”
