Trump attacks Pope over criticism of Iran war

Trump attacks Pope over criticism of Iran war

President Donald Trump faced backlash for his pointed remarks about Pope Leo, following the pontiff’s critique of the US’s military actions in Iran. The comments came after Trump posted on Truth Social, calling the Pope “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.” Later, when asked about the statement, Trump admitted he was “not a big fan” of the Pope’s approach.

Pope Leo has consistently opposed the US-led conflict in Iran, labeling Trump’s threat to obliterate the country’s civilization as “unacceptable.” He also urged the president to pursue a “de-escalation path” to resolve the dispute. Additionally, the Pope questioned whether Trump’s strict immigration policies aligned with the Catholic Church’s pro-life values.

“I don’t think he’s doing a very good job, he likes crime, I guess,” Trump explained to reporters. “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.”

The Pope’s recent trip to Africa, his second significant foreign visit since taking office, coincided with Trump’s criticism. In a Sunday post, the president claimed Pope Leo was elected “because he was American” and that his leadership in the Vatican would have been unnecessary without Trump’s presidency. He also suggested the Pope was “weak on nuclear weapons,” referencing Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a justification for the war.

“Not even Hitler or Mussolini attacked the Pope so directly and publicly,” remarked Massimo Faggioli, an expert quoted by Reuters. The Pope’s comments drew comparisons to his historical relationships with authoritarian leaders during World War Two.

Pope Leo has used public speeches to condemn global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, urging restraint and peace. During Trump’s threats against Iran, the Pope denounced the statement as “truly unacceptable,” without naming specific countries. In his Easter address, he emphasized the need for people to become “more aware of violence” and “more sensitive to the loss of countless lives.”