WASHINGTON, United States — U.S President Donald Trump has launched an unusually sharp public attack on Pope Leo XIV, criticising the pontiff’s leadership and accusing him of aligning with what he termed the “Radical Left” amid tensions over the ongoing Iran conflict.
Speaking to reporters upon arrival in Washington and in a series of social media posts, Trump said he was “not a fan” of the US-born pope and claimed he was “not doing a very good job.”
“I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He’s a very liberal person,” Trump said, escalating rhetoric rarely seen between a sitting US president and the head of the Catholic Church.
The remarks followed comments by Pope Leo during a prayer service at St Peter’s Basilica, where he warned that a “delusion of omnipotence” was fuelling the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. While the pope did not directly name Trump, his message was widely interpreted as a critique of the military posture adopted by Washington.
Trump responded forcefully, accusing the pontiff of weak positions on crime and foreign policy. “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” he wrote, a claim that appears to mischaracterise the Vatican’s stance, which has consistently opposed nuclear proliferation.
The exchange marks a rare and highly public clash between the White House and the Vatican, institutions that have historically maintained cautious diplomatic engagement even amid policy disagreements.
In his remarks, President Trump also broadened his criticism beyond the Iran conflict, referencing Latin American policy and defending his administration’s actions in Venezuela. He further suggested that Leo’s elevation to the papacy was influenced by geopolitical considerations tied to his presidency.
“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump said, without providing evidence for the claim.
The pope, who is scheduled to begin an 11-day trip to Africa, has in recent days delivered pointed moral reflections on war, stating that God “rejects” the prayers of those who wage violence. He has also condemned threats of large-scale destruction, calling such rhetoric “truly unacceptable.”
The diplomatic tension comes against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire and ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, with regional instability continuing despite a pause in direct hostilities.
Trump’s administration has framed its actions as necessary for global security, with senior officials invoking religious language in support of military operations. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recently urged Americans to pray for victory, while Trump himself stated that he believes God supports the campaign.
As tensions persist, the exchange underscores the complex intersection of religion, politics, and international conflict—raising questions about the role of moral authority in shaping global policy debates.
