Trump attacks Pope over criticism of Iran war

Trump Criticizes Pope for Stance on Immigration and Iran Conflict

US President Donald Trump has taken a pointed stand against Pope Leo, criticizing him for opposing US immigration policies and the war in Iran. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump labeled the pontiff as “weak on crime” and “poor in foreign policy,” later elaborating to journalists that he was “not a big fan” of the Pope’s approach. The remarks followed Pope Leo’s recent public condemnation of Trump’s rhetoric about Iran, where he described the president’s threats to obliterate the country’s civilization as “unacceptable” and urged a diplomatic exit from the conflict.

The Pope has consistently challenged Trump’s hard-line immigration policies, suggesting they clash with the Catholic Church’s pro-life values. As he prepared for an 11-day tour of Africa, his second major international visit since taking office, Trump seized the opportunity to critique him. In a Sunday post, the president remarked that Pope Leo “should get his act together” and accused him of being “weak on nuclear weapons,” a reference to Iran’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities. Trump also implied that the Pope’s election was strategically influenced by his American identity, claiming, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”

“I don’t think he’s doing a very good job, he likes crime, I guess.” “Pope Leo is a very liberal person, and he’s a man who doesn’t believe in stopping crime. He’s a man who doesn’t believe we should be toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon so they can blow up the world.”

The comments sparked backlash from Catholic leaders. Massimo Faggioli, a noted expert, drew parallels to the Pope’s historical interactions with fascist leaders during World War Two. “Not even Hitler or Mussolini attacked the Pope so directly and publicly,” Faggioli remarked. Pope Leo, meanwhile, has spoken out against global violence, urging restraint in the Middle East. In a recent Easter address, he highlighted growing indifference to conflict and death, stating, “Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.”