U.S. President Donald Trump expressed sharp disapproval of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, stating he is “not a big fan” of the first American-born pontiff after the Pope delivered a strong anti-war message calling for peace in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland upon his return from a weekend involving golf and UFC events, President Trump criticized the Pope’s stance on international affairs and domestic issues.
“I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo. He’s a very liberal person, and he’s a man that doesn’t believe in stopping crime,” Trump said. He further accused the pontiff of being “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” while suggesting the Pope was soft on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Trump doubled down on the remarks in a post on Truth Social, writing: “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.” He added that he does not appreciate the Pope criticizing a U.S. president who is carrying out the agenda for which he was elected in a landslide victory.
The comments come in response to recent statements from Pope Leo XIV, who has repeatedly urged world leaders to reject war, pursue dialogue, and seek an “off-ramp” to end hostilities in the Middle East. In recent addresses, including during Easter celebrations and public audiences, the Pope has condemned threats of widespread destruction, stating that “God does not bless any conflict” and that disciples of Christ, “the Prince of Peace,” should not align with those who “drop bombs.” He has described certain escalatory rhetoric as “truly unacceptable” and called for deep reflection on the human cost of war.
Pope Leo XIV, elected as the first U.S.-born leader of the Catholic Church, has positioned himself as a vocal advocate for peace amid the Iran-related conflict, emphasizing the suffering of civilians and the need for sincere negotiation over military escalation.
President Trump’s remarks highlight growing tensions between the White House and the Vatican on foreign policy matters, particularly regarding the approach to Iran and broader Middle East stability. Trump has defended his administration’s actions as necessary to protect American interests and prevent nuclear proliferation.
No immediate response from the Vatican was detailed in initial reports, though the Pope has previously affirmed his commitment to speaking out on Gospel-based principles of peace without fear.