by InTrieste
In a sharply worded statement on Sunday evening, President Donald Trump publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV, marking a rare and striking clash between a sitting U.S. president and the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, Mr. Trump described the first American-born pontiff as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” offering a blunt assessment that quickly drew attention across political and religious circles. The comments, delivered in the president’s characteristically direct style, signaled a deepening tension between the White House and the Vatican.
The unprecedented attack has its roots in escalating tensions over the U.S.-led war against Iran. Last week, Mr. Trump warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran failed to reach a deal by a specified deadline, remarks that drew swift condemnation from the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV denounced the threat as “truly unacceptable,” urging “all people of goodwill” to “search, always for peace and not violence.” In recent weeks, the pontiff had sharpened his public rebukes, moving from general prayers for peace to a rare and direct criticism of presidential rhetoric.
He also pointed to the broader consequences of the conflict, warning that attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international law and that the instability in the Middle East was “provoking more hatred throughout the world.”
In his Truth Social post, Mr. Trump said he did not believe Pope Leo was “doing a very good job,” describing him as “a very liberal person” and suggesting the pontiff should “stop catering to the Radical Left.” He also made the extraordinary claim that he had played a role in the pope’s election, writing that the Church elevated Leo because he was American and better suited to deal with his administration.
“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Mr. Trump wrote.
The president further criticized the pope for meeting with David Axelrod, a former adviser to President Barack Obama, and reiterated his view that Leo should focus on religious leadership rather than political engagement.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Mr. Trump continued his criticism, saying, “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job,” and adding, “I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo.”
The president’s remarks came one day after Pope Leo, during a prayer vigil for peace at St. Peter’s Basilica, warned against what he described as a “delusion of omnipotence” in the conduct of the war, without mentioning the United States or Mr. Trump by name.
Over the same weekend, Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, D.C., delivered a homily describing the conflict with Iran as “immoral” and urged the faithful to speak out, drawing applause from the congregation.
Pope Leo is scheduled to depart on Monday for an 11-day trip to Africa, where he will visit Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
The Vatican did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the president’s remarks. Analysts say the episode could have broader implications for diplomatic relations, given the Holy See’s longstanding role in international mediation and moral advocacy.
