Trump Criticizes Pope Leo XIV Over Iran War Stance, Says “I’m Not a Fan”

Trump Criticizes Pope Leo XIV Over Iran War Stance, Says “I’m Not a Fan”President Donald Trump launched a sharp public attack on Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, criticizing his position on the ongoing conflict with Iran and declaring, “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo.”In a lengthy Truth Social post and subsequent comments to reporters, Trump described the Pope as “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy.” He accused Pope Leo of catering to the “Radical Left” and suggested the pontiff believes it is acceptable for Iran to possess nuclear weapons.What Sparked the CriticismThe feud escalated after Pope Leo XIV repeatedly spoke out against the U.S.-Israel military actions in Iran. In recent statements, the Pope condemned threats against the Iranian people as “truly unacceptable,” warned against attacks on civilian infrastructure, and stated that “God does not bless any conflict.” He also described a “delusion of omnipotence” as fueling the war.Trump responded forcefully, saying: “We don’t like a pope that’s going to say that it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon… He’s a man that doesn’t think that we should be toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon so they can blow up the world.”The President also claimed he preferred Pope Leo’s brother Louis, describing him as “all MAGA,” and suggested the Pope should focus on religious matters rather than politics.Unusual Nature of the ClashThe exchange marks a rare and highly public rift between a sitting U.S. President and the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. While differences between popes and presidents have occurred in the past, direct personal criticism of this intensity is uncommon.Pope Leo XIV, elected in 2025, has emerged as a vocal advocate for peace and dialogue amid the escalating Middle East tensions.Broader ImplicationsTrump’s remarks come shortly after his announcement of a conditional two-week ceasefire with Iran tied to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The public disagreement highlights deep divisions over how to approach the Iran conflict, nuclear proliferation, and the role of religious leaders in foreign policy discussions.As the situation develops, both the Vatican and the White House are likely to face questions about the impact of this high-profile feud on U.S.-Vatican relations and broader international diplomacy.