Trump attacks Pope over criticism of Iran war
Trump Criticizes Pope for Opposition to U.S. Immigration and Iran War
Donald Trump has delivered a sharp rebuke to Pope Leo, focusing on his criticism of U.S. immigration policies and the ongoing conflict in Iran. The president’s remarks, posted on Truth Social, labeled the pontiff as “WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy,” and he later admitted to being “not a big fan” of the Pope. This came during the pontiff’s 11-day journey to Africa, marking his second major international visit since taking office.
Pope Leo has consistently voiced concerns about the war, dismissing Trump’s threat to obliterate Iranian civilization as “unacceptable.” He also urged the president to identify a “path to resolution” for the conflict. Additionally, the Pope raised questions about whether Trump’s strict immigration stance aligned with the Catholic Church’s pro-life principles.
Trump’s Comments on Nuclear Weapons and Leadership
During his Sunday post, Trump claimed Pope Leo “should get his act together,” accusing him of being “weak on nuclear weapons.” This reference pointed to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, a key justification for the U.S. and Israel’s involvement in the war. Trump further suggested that the Pope’s election was influenced by his American identity, stating, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”
“I don’t think he’s doing a very good job, he likes crime, I guess,” Trump explained to reporters. “He’s a very liberal person, and he’s a man who doesn’t believe in stopping crime, he’s a man who doesn’t believe we should be toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon so they can blow up the world.”
The remarks sparked swift backlash from Catholic communities. Massimo Faggioli, a noted expert, drew a historical parallel, stating, “Not even Hitler or Mussolini attacked the Pope so directly and publicly.” The Pope, meanwhile, has used public speeches to condemn global conflicts and advocate for peace in the Middle East.
When Trump declared that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” in reference to Iran, Pope Leo responded by calling the statement “truly unacceptable.” In an Easter address, he emphasized the need for people to become “less accustomed to violence” and “more mindful of the countless lives lost.” He urged leaders to “choose peace over war” and “lay down their weapons.”
