Overview
- The president’s Truth Social post Sunday night labeled the first U.S.-born pope “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy,” claimed without evidence that Leo was elected because he is American, and included an AI image casting Trump in a Jesus-like scene.
- Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews soon after, Trump said he was “not a fan” of Pope Leo and argued he does not want a pope who he claims is fine with Iran having a nuclear weapon.
- Pope Leo responded Monday aboard his flight to Africa, saying he has “no fear” of the administration and that his push for peace is a Gospel duty he will continue to voice.
- U.S. Catholic leaders criticized Trump’s attack, with Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of the bishops’ conference saying he was disheartened and stressing that the pope speaks for the care of souls.
- The clash follows Leo’s public rebukes of the Iran war, including a Saturday vigil decrying a “delusion of omnipotence,” as contested reports of a tense January Pentagon–Vatican meeting drew official denials from the Defense Department and the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See.