U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a rare and forceful public criticism of Pope Leo XIV, calling him “terrible for foreign policy” and “WEAK on Crime” in a post on Truth Social.
Trump’s comments, made late on Sunday, came in response to what appeared to be growing criticism from the Pope regarding the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
The president also said Leo should “get his act together as Pope” and later told reporters he was “not a big fan” of the pontiff.
Vatican and Catholic reaction
The comments triggered swift backlash from Catholics and Church observers, who defended the Pope’s role as spiritual leader of the global Church.
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he was disheartened by the remarks, stressing that the Pope “is not a politician” but the “Vicar of Christ.”
Experts also described the exchange as highly unusual. One papacy analyst compared it to attempts by World War Two-era leaders to pressure previous popes, saying that “not even Hitler or Mussolini attacked the pope so directly and publicly.”
Pope Leo’s stance on war and immigration
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born Pope, has in recent weeks become increasingly vocal on global conflicts and migration.
He has described the ongoing Iran conflict as the “madness of war” and, during a Palm Sunday address in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican City, said wars started by leaders with “hands full of blood” are rejected by God.
The Pope has also urged a diplomatic “off-ramp” to reduce violence and criticized hard-line immigration policies, questioning whether such approaches align with Christian teachings on life and human dignity.
Last year, he raised concerns about U.S. immigration policy, asking how opposition to abortion could be reconciled with what he described as “inhuman treatment of immigrants.”
Trump escalates criticism over foreign policy and war
Trump also accused the Pope of being “weak on nuclear weapons,” following remarks in which the pontiff described threats against Iran as “truly unacceptable.”
The U.S. president further suggested that Leo’s election as Pope may have been influenced by his American nationality, arguing that some may have seen it as beneficial in dealing with his administration.
Trump’s comments extended a pattern of tension between him and recent papal leadership. He previously clashed with Pope Francis during his early political campaigns, including over immigration policies.
Vatican response awaited
The Vatican did not immediately respond to requests for comment to Reuters. The Pope is scheduled to depart on Monday for a 10-day tour across four African countries.
