U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Pope Pope Leo XIV in a lengthy Truth Social post, accusing the pontiff of being “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” amid escalating global security concerns.
Reports on Monday, April 13, said Trump took issue with the Pope’s stance on international conflicts, particularly regarding Iran, while defending his administration’s foreign policy actions.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump said in his post, adding that he disagrees with the pontiff’s views on Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. military actions.
Trump further claimed he does not want a religious leader who criticizes his administration’s policies, insisting he is fulfilling the mandate given to him by voters.
“I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do,” he wrote.
He also referenced the Pope’s family, saying he prefers the pontiff’s brother, whom he described as aligned with the MAGA movement.
The remarks come amid heightened debate over the intersection of politics and religion, as Pope Leo XIV has recently spoken out on issues involving war, migration, and international diplomacy. The Vatican has not yet issued a formal response to Trump’s latest comments.
Earlier reports noted that the Pope has been increasingly vocal on global conflicts, prompting reactions from U.S. political figures and supporters on both sides.