Trump vs. Pope Leo: Escalating Feud and Global Reactions

President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV have entered a public feud centered on U.S. Foreign policy and domestic issues, with the U.S. President criticizing the pontiff as WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy.

The tension escalated following a 60 Minutes report that detailed Pope Leo’s disapproval of the war in Iran and the policy of mass deportations. In response, President Trump posted a lengthy message on Truth Social on Sunday, April 12, 2026, targeting the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

In a subsequent interview with CBS News senior correspondent Norah O’Donnell on Monday, April 13, 2026, President Trump stated that the pope is wrong on the issues and argued that the pontiff should not be involved in politics.

Disputes Over Iran and Deportations

The core of the conflict involves Pope Leo XIV’s vocal criticism of military operations in Iran conducted by the United States and Israel. The U.S. President has refused to apologize to the pontiff regarding the escalating war in Iran.

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Beyond the conflict in the Middle East, the two leaders are divided over U.S. Immigration enforcement. The 60 Minutes report highlighted the pope’s opposition to mass deportations, a point of contention that contributed to the president’s social media attacks.

When asked by CBS News if he intended to contact the pope directly to resolve the dispute, President Trump gave a firm no.

Controversy Over AI Imagery

Parallel to the political row, President Trump faced backlash from the Christian right after posting an AI-generated image to Truth Social on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The image depicted the president as a Jesus-like figure appearing to heal a sick man in a hospital bed.

The president later deleted the photo, explaining to CBS News that he did not want people to be confused. He claimed he viewed the image as depicting him as a doctor fixing people and noted the presence of the Red Cross and medical personnel in the image.

The image drew criticism from conservative figures, including activist Riley Gaines, who posted on X that God shall not be mocked and suggested that a little humility would serve him well.

International and Public Reaction

The feud has drawn diverse reactions globally. In the Vatican, locals and visitors have taken opposing sides, with some describing Pope Leo as a pope who uses his brain.

In the United States, reactions have been mixed. The BBC reported on individuals at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., who expressed hope that the two leaders could find a way to come together.

The diplomatic tension continues as Pope Leo XIV prepares for a trip to Africa. President Trump also expressed uncertainty regarding whether the pope, who is the first U.S.-born pontiff, would visit the United States during his presidency, stating that such a decision is up to the pope.