President Trump Slams Pope Leo XIV Over Iran War and ‘Radical Left’ Ties
President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack against Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, April 12, 2026, escalating a public dispute over the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. In a series of social media posts and remarks to reporters, the U.S. President questioned the leadership of the American-born pontiff, characterizing him as a “very liberal” figure who is too focused on “pleasing the Radical Left.”
The friction between the two leaders intensified after Pope Leo XIV intensified his criticisms of the war in Iran, stating that “God does not bless any conflict” and suggesting that an “illusion of omnipotence” is fueling the violence. During Sunday prayers, the Pope issued a call for peace in the Middle East, a move that Trump quickly rejected.
Returning to Washington from Florida on April 12, 2026, President Trump continued his critique although speaking with journalists at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” Trump told reporters on the tarmac, following an extensive social media blast where he claimed the Pope is “WEAK on crime and terrible in foreign policy.”
The President’s grievances extended to specific geopolitical stances, asserting that he does not want a pontiff who believes it is acceptable for Iran to possess nuclear weapons or who views the U.S. Attack on Venezuela as “terrible.” Trump further argued that the Pope should not criticize the American president, stating he is doing “exactly what I was elected” to do.
In a more personal turn, Trump claimed that the Pope’s brother, Louis, is more perceptive, stating, “I like his brother Louis much better. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!” The President also suggested that Leo XIV’s ascension to the papacy was a strategic move by the Church, claiming the Pope was not on any initial lists but was chosen specifically due to the fact that he is American as a way to “deal with President Donald J. Trump.”
While disagreements between heads of state and the papacy are not uncommon, the direct and caustic nature of this exchange is highly unusual. The clash underscores a deepening rift between the White House’s foreign policy objectives and the Vatican’s diplomatic calls for ceasefire and restraint.
Trump concluded his remarks by defending his own administration’s record, citing record-breaking figures in the stock market and crime reduction, while suggesting the Pope should be grateful for his position.
