Trump attacks Pope over criticism of Iran war
Trump Criticizes Pope for Stance on Immigration and Iran Conflict
During an 11-day African tour, Pope Leo faced sharp criticism from President Donald Trump, who accused him of being “lax on crime and ineffective in foreign affairs.” The attack came via a post on Truth Social, where Trump labeled the pontiff as “not a big fan” of his policies. The president specifically targeted the Pope’s opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iran, calling his remarks “unacceptable” and suggesting he should seek a “resolution” to the conflict.
Immigration and War: A Clash of Views
Trump’s comments highlighted his disagreement with the Pope’s stance on immigration and the Iran war. He claimed the pontiff was elected “due to his American identity, with hopes of countering my administration.” The president also questioned the Pope’s position on nuclear weapons, implying he was “weak” on Iran’s pursuit of atomic power. “If I weren’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” he added, reflecting his view of the Pope as a political ally.
“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.”
In response, the Pope had previously urged restraint, calling Trump’s threats to Iran “truly unacceptable.” During his Easter address, he emphasized the need for global peace, stating, “Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.” This plea came amid growing public tolerance for violence, as noted by the pontiff.
“Not even Hitler or Mussolini attacked the Pope so directly and publicly,” said Massimo Faggioli, quoted by Reuters.
Trump’s remarks drew swift backlash from Catholics, with some likening the criticism to historical tensions between the Pope and fascist leaders during World War Two. While the Pope has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Middle East, Trump framed his leadership as a threat to stability, citing Iran’s nuclear ambitions as justification for the war.
