Trump attacks Pope over criticism of Iran war

Trump Condemns Pope for Criticism of Iran Conflict

President Donald Trump has issued a pointed critique of Pope Leo, accusing him of lacking strength in addressing crime and foreign policy issues. In a recent post on Truth Social, he labeled the pontiff as “WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy,” later expressing his disapproval to reporters by stating he was “not a big fan.” The Pope, however, has consistently opposed the U.S. military actions in Iran, calling Trump’s rhetoric about destroying the country’s civilization “unacceptable” and urging the president to seek a diplomatic resolution.

During his current 11-day visit to Africa, the Pope’s second major international trip since taking office, he has also raised questions about Trump’s immigration policies. Specifically, he noted that the president’s strict border measures seemed at odds with the Catholic Church’s pro-life principles. Trump’s remarks coincided with his latest criticism of the Pope, suggesting that the pontiff’s election was driven by his American identity rather than his policies. “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” he remarked, implying the Pope’s role was a reaction to his leadership.

“I don’t think he’s doing a very good job, he likes crime, I guess.” – Donald Trump

Trump further claimed the Pope was “a very liberal person” who “doesn’t believe in stopping crime” and “doesn’t believe we should be toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon so they can blow up the world.” His comments have sparked backlash from Catholics, with some drawing parallels to the Pope’s historical relationship with authoritarian regimes during World War Two. Massimo Faggioli, a noted expert, remarked, “Not even Hitler or Mussolini attacked the Pope so directly and publicly.”

The Pope has long used his public platform to condemn global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East. When Trump warned of an Iranian “civilisation dying tonight,” the Pope responded that such statements were “truly unacceptable.” In a recent Easter address, he called for peace without naming specific nations, stating, “Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.” His message emphasized a broader call for global reflection on violence and its consequences.