President Donald Trump launched an unprecedented attack on Pope Leo XIV, publishing a 330-word social media tirade criticizing the Catholic leader as weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy. The confrontation marks the latest escalation in Trump’s decade-long pattern of publicly feuding with Catholic leaders.
Presidential Assault on Vatican Leadership
Trump’s Sunday night post on Truth Social accused Pope Leo of catering to the radical left and failing to focus on being a great pope. The president claimed Leo only became pope because church officials thought selecting an American would help them deal with Trump himself. He went further, stating he prefers the pope’s brother Louis because he supports the MAGA movement. Trump concluded by insisting the pope should stop acting like a politician.
When reporters asked why he attacked the pope, Trump responded bluntly that he doesn’t think Leo is doing a good job. The president suggested the pope likes crime and opposes the use of nuclear weapons, adding that Americans don’t want a pope who says crime is acceptable.
Pope Leo Fires Back From Papal Plane
Flying to Algeria on Monday morning, Pope Leo XIV told The Associated Press he has no fear of the Trump administration. When asked about the Truth Social attacks, the pontiff noted the ironic name of Trump’s platform, saying it speaks for itself. The American pope previously criticized those who invoke God to justify military action, declaring during a Palm Sunday homily that Jesus rejects war and refuses prayers from those who wage it.
Pattern of Papal Confrontation
This confrontation continues Trump’s longstanding pattern of attacking Catholic leadership. In 2016, he called Pope Francis disgraceful and suggested he was a pawn of the Mexican government after Francis criticized border wall proposals. Trump’s latest offensive came after Pope Leo appeared to encourage Americans to contact Congress following Trump’s public threat to kill an entire civilization. The president also promoted imagery of himself as a religious figure, drawing accusations of blasphemy from critics.