By 
President Donald Trump publicly attacked Pope Leo XIV on social media Sunday evening, calling the pontiff “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy” in a lengthy post that appeared to be reacting to the Holy Fatherʼs recent appeals for peace and an end to war.
In comments to reporters at Joint Base Andrews shortly afterward, Trump said: “I donʼt think heʼs doing a very good job. … I am not a fan of Pope Leo.” He added: “Heʼs a very liberal person.”
Trump accused Leo of being soft on Iran and criticized the popeʼs opposition to U.S. military operations. “I donʼt want a Pope who thinks itʼs OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” the president wrote. He also criticized the pope for opposing the U.S. intervention in Venezuela that ousted President Nicolás Maduro in January.
Leo has not said Iran should possess nuclear weapons. He has called the U.S.-Israel war in Iran “unjust” and on April 7 called Trumpʼs threat to destroy an entire “civilization” in Iran “truly unacceptable.”
Trump also claimed credit for Leoʼs election to the papacy in May 2025, writing: “He wasnʼt on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American.” He added: “If I wasnʼt in the White House, Leo wouldnʼt be in the Vatican.”
The post on Truth Social came hours before Leo was scheduled to depart Monday for an 11-day trip to four African countries, and one day after the pope presided over a globally broadcast prayer vigil for peace at St. Peterʼs Basilica.
The president said he preferred the popeʼs older brother, Louis Prevost, a Port Charlotte, Florida, resident who has described himself as a “MAGA type.” “I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA,” Trump wrote.
Trump also criticized Leo for meeting April 9 with David Axelrod, a former chief strategist for President Barack Obama, calling Axelrod “a LOSER from the Left.” The Vatican has previously confirmed the audience but did not disclose what was discussed.
The public clash comes after weeks of growing friction between the White House and Catholic leaders since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28.
Pope Leoʼs appeals for peace intensified over Holy Week, culminating in Saturdayʼs vigil, where he denounced a “delusion of omnipotence” and warned that “the holy Name of God” was being “dragged into discourses of death.”
At a special Mass for Peace held in Washington on April 11, Cardinal Robert McElroy argued that the current war fails to meet the strict criteria of just war theory, particularly in light of civilian suffering and the risk of disproportionate harm.
The Vatican has not yet publicly responded to Trumpʼs post. The pope is expected to arrive in Algiers on Monday.
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President Trump is right. Pope Leo, the bishops and all clergy have no business engaging in politics. Our hierarchy has a difficult enough time witnessing to Christ to the billion+ Catholics across the globe and to those ŵho do not yet know Christ. The hubris of our hierarchy will damage the Catholic Church profoundly if they don’t stop meddling in worldly politics.
Let’s remember: Jesus Christ was no politician. When the people wanted Him as a foil to the Roman Emperor, He demurred. Christ made no pronouncement about civic affairs. In fact, He explicitly told us to “Render unto Caesar…” Jesus Christ had no central banking system fraught with the corruption of the Vatican. Jesus Christ had no armed guards protecting Him. Jesus Christ had no law courts to try cases of errant bishops, cardinals and other clergy. Jesus Christ didn’t have a publishing arm to disseminate His teachings. Jesus Christ did not have a Secretary of State and the equivalent of ambassadors to countries across the globe.
The Church needs to return to Jesus Christ. The Church needs to stay out of politics. The Church needs to attend to God’s work, not Satan’s. It is in grave danger if it does not.
As a practicing Catholic (and a bad one I’m sure), while Trump seems like 80% my friend and 20% my enemy, the Holy Father seems like 20% my friend and 80% my enemy, which is sad enough. To me, it’s also sad that a non-Catholic seems to understand some Catholic doctrine better than an “Augustinian Pope”.
The Holy Father can promote peace all he wants; what he cannot do is subtly promote pacifism.
I suppose it’s to be expected when the Holy Father says basically “I’m not prolife if I support the death penalty”. It makes me almost ashamed to have an American as the Pope.
God have Mercy on us please.
The power of words…Trump’s rhetoric to “destroy a Civilization” was certainly over the top and not calibrated to enlist the minds and hearts of Iran’s subjects (not real citizens), while the diplomatically loaded “delusion of omnipotence” sounds like it might have come from the inner churnings of the Vatican Secretariat of State.
Likely blackmail by an Iran with a nuclear weapon is clearly not an option, but neither is some kind of China-style “provisional agreement” with a throwback jihadist command center masquerading as a modern nation-state.
As a thought experiment, as if thought mattered, it’s almost as if the contemporary world is caught in the aftermath of eighty years ago when clarity was dismissed on the cross-cultural misunderstanding of “unconditional surrender” and then of “mokusatsu.”
As a consequence of a few plastic words—rather than a few other words—was the entire era of the bipolar nuclear arms race an avoidable ingredient to a lesser Cold War? And, now, from a rogue “state,” the further proliferation of nuclear weapons…closure of Hormuz, similar to the closure a millennium ago of the pilgrimage routes to Jerusalem.
So, the Pope should be MAGA? Perhaps J D Vance, a Catholic for a couple of years can visit Rome and instruct Pope Leo on how to be a “good Catholic?” The Administration is becoming pathological.
The most generous thing one can say about Trump is that he has absolutely no idea in the world about the role of a pope.
The Pope has absolutely no idea of the role of the Pope…just like his apostate predecessor.
The most generous thing one can say about Pope Leo is that he has absolutely no idea in the world about the role of a nation’s pope.
Of course, then there are three clowns Cupich, Tobin, and McElroy pontificating on how to run a country. When Norah O’Donnell from 60 minutes pressed them with a pointed question, they went glassy-eyed but then clung to the narrative and ignored the question.
What’s infuriating is that none of them; not these three cardinals, nor Pope Leo can bring themselves to state the obvious: first-world nations cannot simply erase their borders and admit anyone motivated by economic opportunity. Why is this so difficult to understand or to say? These are not the bruised and persecuted seeking refuge. They are trespassers; they are foreign nationals who have broken the laws of sovereign nations, who believe they are entitled to bypass every protocol and enter any country of their choosing. They are illegal aliens, full stop.
My maternal grandfather emigrated from Sweden. He followed the laws of the land. So did nearly every immigrant of that era. Today’s mass illegal immigration is not that path; it is lawlessness and is being treated by the thoughtless as compassion.
And then McElroy refers to Emma Lazarus’ famous words: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” But those words have a specific meaning. They are an invitation to the wretched fleeing tyranny. They are not a blanket welcome to anyone seeking a higher standard of living. The broken chains at Lady Liberty’s feet symbolize liberation from oppression, not an open-door invitation regardless of law. Either understand what those words actually mean or stop misusing them. Lazarus’s poetry was never an invitation to ignore our laws, and should not be used to portray moral superiority when there is none.
correction – a nation’s president – I hate when I make such blatant errors in my writing. At times I think I border on losing my mind.
This says it all
https://x.com/CarriePrejean1/status/2043533793093681464
Trump is 100% correct! Prevost is a weak spineless Marxist and actual Communist that bloviates far left talking points like a muppet. He is more Peruvian than American and that us his Theology. He never say a single bad word about Islam – Rather he coddles Islamist! Never a single word of the horrors in Nigeria! He has done more in a week with his leftist politics to harm the Church than Francis did his entire papacy!!!
When a religious?/political element (or anyone) threatens you with violence/death and openly/actively prepares to do so, what person/country wouldn’t have the right, even obligation, to defend itself? The consequences of Iran (radical Islam) having an A Bomb and delivery system are inconceivably evil and would have horrible consequences for the world. Why is that so hard for the Pope or anyone to understand?
I am a practicing Catholic and I voted for Trump 3 times.
I agree with Trump on the need to make absolutely sure that Iran NEVER has nuclear weapons, no matter what measures he has to take.
The above being said, there are times when the best thing the President can do is simply to STFU – this is one of them.
I agree Mr. Terence.
I might word the suggestion to Pres. Trump differently, but yes…
Let us ALWAYS keep in mind the simple fact that we are dealing with religious fanatics who have absolutely no problem with sacrificing themselves along with people by the thousands in order to please their god, AKA Allah, case in point – September 11, 2001.
The president is acting to ensure that that these fanatics NEVER come into possession of a nuclear bomb.
What, pray tell, is the problem with that?
No problem. It makes perfect sense. Unless we prefer to kick the can down the road again & force our children & grandchildren to deal with it.
The Timing certainly appears auspicious.
Oh what a tangled web is being weaved, when confusion is not of The Holy Ghost.
Human Life is Sacred, thus we are Called to protect Human Life from harm. And yet, how is it possible that a man elected to the Papacy would refrain from affirming The Sanctity and Dignity of the marital act within The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony which affirms God’s Intention that we respect The Sanctity and Dignity of the Life of every Human Person from the moment of conception, while claiming authority in regards to The Catholic Church’s Teaching on what constitutes a just war?
https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/ncr-voices/three-cardinals-stand-pope-leo-xiv-unprecedented-interview
You can’t have one without the other, and calling out one without the other can only be construed to be a matter of politics sans The Word Of God Incarnate, Our Savior, Jesus The Christ, Whose Word Is Necessary to make every Nation rejoice in that which is Good, True, And Beautiful.
Politics that does not reflect Divine Law, is not of God but of man.
This is not a just war, period. I am no fan of Leo, but Trump seems to be suffering from some diabolical influence.
For any like me who are mystified why someone would write a piece like this repeated pulling only selected sentences out of it to parse – here is the actual DJT Post:
:https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116394704213456431
It speaks for itself. I, a 100% supporter of Mother Angelica’s beloved EWTN whose minions authored this piece, stand with DJT on this manufactured “controversy”.
Why do I say “manufactured”? Just for one thing, did you watch CBS’s presentation of the 3 CBS called “influential” USA Cardinals on 60 Minutes last night? THOSE 3??? I do NOT stand with them either.
You can watch the entire 13 minutes here:
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/influential-us-cardinals-american-politics-60-minutes-video-2026-04-12/
Afterwards, “Nighty Nite, Baby”.
A war of words between the Roman pontiff and a head of state is not helpful, unless both realize their interests and means of solving them differ.
While the military strategic interest can differ from the moral, the best outcome is that their opposing views modify the other in some positive manner. Although they are not equal, since the moral, spiritual interest is a higher existential order and deserves the greater consideration
The Pope? Who does he think he is?
He doesn’t know what he’s saying!
He should provide spiritual care
Instead of his incessant braying…
He’s not infallible in facts!
The fact is, Trump is the best ever
At keeping this great nation safe
From the deranged Leftist fever.
But Pope Leo’s out of touch,
His Foreign Policy is horrid.
He’s also really weak on crime,
Like any other smug leftoid.
He should permit the Latin Mass,
He should promote conservatism,
Instead of spewing Leftist gas
And sixties’ hippie pacifism!
Recall the third Fatima secret?
Humble ourselves..