The United States President, Donald Trump has launched a rare and pointed attack on Pope Leo XIV, escalating tensions between Washington and the Vatican over immigration policy and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the U.S. President described the Catholic pontiff as “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy,” later telling reporters he was “not a big fan” of the Church leader.
The remarks followed criticism from Pope Leo, who has condemned the war and cautioned against inflammatory rhetoric attributed to the U.S. administration on Iran, describing such statements as “unacceptable” and urging global de-escalation.
In his Easter message, the pontiff appealed for peace, calling on world leaders to prioritise dialogue over violence and warning against growing global indifference to human suffering.
Pope Leo has also raised concerns over the moral implications of the administration’s hardline immigration policies, questioning whether they align with the pro-life principles often associated with Catholic teaching.
Responding, Trump defended his stance, arguing that the Pope’s views were overly liberal and suggesting the pontiff does not support decisive action against crime or countries pursuing nuclear weapons.
He further alleged that Pope Leo’s emergence as head of the Catholic Church may have been influenced by his American background, claiming it was a strategic consideration by the Vatican in navigating relations with his presidency.
The exchange underscores widening diplomatic and ideological differences between the two leaders, as Pope Leo begins an 11-day pastoral visit to Africa—his second major international trip since assuming office.