Trump Attacks Pope Leo Over U.S. Foreign Policy Criticism

President Donald Trump launched a series of sharp attacks against Pope Leo XIV on April 12, 2026, criticizing the pontiff’s stance on foreign policy and his political leanings. The confrontation follows comments made by the Pope regarding the U.S.-Israel war in Iran.

The tension escalated after Pope Leo XIV suggested over the weekend that a delusion of omnipotence was fueling the conflict between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran. In response, President Trump delivered an extraordinary broadside against the global leader of the Catholic Church during a press interaction on Sunday night.

Criticism of the Pontiff’s Leadership

Speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on April 12, 2026, after returning from Miami, President Trump stated that he did not believe Pope Leo XIV is doing a very good job. He characterized the Pope as a very liberal person and suggested that the pontiff should stop catering to the Radical Left.

The President extended his criticism through a post on Truth Social, where he described the Pope as weak and terrible in the areas of foreign policy and crime. Specifically, Trump labeled the Pope as weak on crime, a term frequently used by the President to criticize Democratic mayors.

Foreign Policy and the Iran Conflict

The core of the dispute centers on the ongoing war in Iran. While Pope Leo XIV has made appeals for peace, President Trump dismissed these views, calling the Pope terrible for foreign policy. The President expressed that he does not want a Pope who criticizes U.S. Foreign policy decisions.

The exchange is considered highly unusual, as it is rare for a Pope to directly criticize a sitting U.S. Leader, and equally uncommon for a U.S. President to respond with such stinging personal and political attacks against the pontiff.

Historical Context of the Papacy

Pope Leo XIV is the first U.S.-born pontiff to lead the Catholic Church. Despite the current feud, President Trump previously claimed credit for the Pope’s election.

On the same day the President delivered his remarks at Joint Base Andrews, Pope Leo XIV was at the Vatican, where he delivered the Regina Coeli prayer in St. Peter’s Square on April 12, 2026.