Trump Critiques Pope Following Condemnation of Iran War
After the Pope’s indirect criticism of the war in Iran, President Trump took to Truth Social to express his discontent with Pope Leo XIV, labeling him “soft on crime” and criticizing his foreign policy stance.
“Pope Leo is weak on crime and has a terrible foreign policy,” Trump stated in a post over the weekend.
He voiced a strong opinion, saying, “I don’t want a pope who thinks it’s acceptable for Iran to possess nuclear weapons. Nor do I want a pope who criticizes the U.S. for taking actions against Venezuela, a nation known for flooding our streets with drugs and releasing criminals.” He continued, asserting that he is merely doing what he was elected to do: achieving record low crime rates and boosting the stock market.
Trump emphasized, “Pope Leo should focus on being a pope and not act like a politician.” His remarks followed the Pope’s condemnation of the U.S.-Israel actions in Iran, which he termed “atrocious,” insisting that Jesus cannot be a justification for war.
The Pope’s recent service highlighted thoughts on “self-idolatry” and addressed what he called the “delusion of omnipotence” evident in the U.S.-Israel conflict.
Although the Pope didn’t name Trump directly, he has consistently criticized the war and urged all involved to consider peace over conflict. In a poignant Palm Sunday message, he remarked that genuine leaders’ prayers are not heard when they engage in violence, calling for an honest approach towards the divine, especially in wartime.
In a curious twist, after making his comments about the Pope, Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself that resembled Jesus, stirring further conversation.
Pope Leo remarked on how even God’s name is misused in discussions surrounding death and destruction, calling for more awareness of the weight of such language.
While occasionally blending religion into their messages, members of Trump’s administration have varied in their expressions of Christian faith, with some notably pushing for public prayers at military events.
Trump also expressed admiration for Leo’s estranged brother, Louis Prevost, stating, “I like him so much more than I do Leo, because Louis is totally MAGA. He understands things better.” This shift in preference highlights Trump’s evolving stance on the Vatican leader.
Initially, Trump viewed Leo’s ascension as a “great honor for our country,” but now seems frustrated with his papacy. He urged, “Leo needs to get on track, use common sense, stop catering to the radical left, and truly focus on being a great Pope.” The President concluded that the current situation is damaging both for Leo and the Catholic Church as a whole.
