US President Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on Pope Leo XIV in a lengthy social media post, accusing the pontiff of being "weak on crime" and criticising his stance on foreign policy, Iran, and US domestic issues.
"Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, setting off a fresh escalation in tensions between the White House and the Vatican.
In the post, Trump accused the Pope of focusing on criticism of his administration while ignoring past restrictions on religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"He talks about 'fear' of the Trump Administration, but doesn't mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church... had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services," Trump wrote.
The President also targeted the Pope's position on Iran, asserting disagreement with what he characterised as leniency.
"I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon," he said.
Trump further defended US actions abroad, including Venezuela, linking them to concerns over drugs and crime entering the United States.
"I don't want a Pope who thinks it's terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States," he wrote, adding that the country was "emptying their prisons... into our Country."
The post also turned personal, with Trump comparing the Pope unfavourably to his brother.
"I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn't!" he said.
Trump went on to defend his own presidency, citing electoral victory, crime reduction, and economic performance.
"I'm doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History," he wrote.
In a striking claim, Trump suggested the Pope's election was linked to his own presidency.
"Leo should be thankful because... he was a shocking surprise... If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican," he said.
He also criticised the Pope's interactions with political figures, singling out former adviser David Axelrod.
"Leo should get his act together as Pope... stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician," Trump added.
The remarks reflect a deepening rift between Trump and the Vatican, with both sides increasingly diverging on issues ranging from war and diplomacy to immigration and domestic policy.
Reacting to Trump's remarks, Pope Leo said he will continue to speak out against war.
"I don't want to get into a debate with him," Leo told Reuters. "I don't think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing."
He added that he will continue on the mission of Church.
"To put my message on the same plane as what the President has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is," Leo told The Associated Press aboard the papal plane.
"And I'm sorry to hear that but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today."
Trump's remarks came two days after Pope Leo XIV, in his strongest words yet, denounced the "delusion of omnipotence" fuelling the US-Israel war in Iran and called on political leaders to stop and negotiate peace.
The US President took aim at the pontiff's criticism of American military actions, including operations in Venezuela, which Trump defended as necessary to curb drug trafficking and criminal activity.
"I don't want a Pope who thinks it's terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a country that was sending massive amounts of drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our country," he wrote.
Trump also objected to the Pope's criticism of his presidency, framing his actions as part of his electoral mandate.
"And I don't want a Pope who criticises the President of the United States because I'm doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do," Trump said, while also claiming to have delivered "record low numbers in crime" and "the greatest stock market in history".
In a striking claim, Trump said the Pope, who is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, which is the largest Christian church in the world, was elevated to the position because of his American identity and would not have been in the Vatican had Trump not been president.
"He wasn't on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump. If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican," he said.
The president went on to accuse the pontiff of aligning with political opponents and urged him to change course.
"Leo should get his act together as Pope, use common sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a great Pope, not a politician," Trump wrote, adding that the stance was "hurting the Catholic Church".
Pope Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica on the same day the US and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan during a fragile ceasefire.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, has in recent weeks spoken out against war and called for restraint and dialogue in global conflicts, including tensions involving Iran.
(With inputs from IANS)
