Donald Trump has sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV over the pontiff’s stance on the ongoing Iran conflict, saying he is “not a fan” of the Catholic leader.
Speaking to reporters and in a series of social media posts, Trump accused the pope of being “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” He also suggested that the pope’s views on the Iran war were misguided, particularly regarding concerns over nuclear weapons. 
The remarks came after Pope Leo strongly condemned the war involving Iran, describing global conflict as dangerous and urging peaceful solutions. The pope has repeatedly warned against the use of force and criticized rhetoric that could escalate tensions, calling such approaches “unacceptable.” 
Trump, however, pushed back, saying he does not support a pope who criticizes US leadership or appears to tolerate Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He further claimed that the pope is overly aligned with liberal political views and should focus more on religious leadership than political commentary. 
The public exchange highlights an unusual and escalating clash between a US president and the head of the Catholic Church. While disagreements between political and religious leaders are not new, such direct criticism is rare and has sparked debate among political analysts and religious communities worldwide.
