A sharp and unexpected clash has erupted between former President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, escalating over the pontiff’s vocal criticisms of international conflicts and his calls for peace. Trump launched a scathing attack on the Pope, dismissing his foreign policy stance as “terrible” and questioning his leadership.
The former president’s criticism, delivered via a social media post, didn’t stop at policy disagreements. Trump accused the Pope of being “weak on crime” and revisited the pandemic-era restrictions placed on religious gatherings, framing them as an overreach of authority.
Trump contrasted Pope Leo XIV unfavorably with his brother, claiming the sibling is “all MAGA” and understands the political landscape. This personal jab underscored the depth of the former president’s dissatisfaction with the Pope’s views.
Central to Trump’s grievance is the Pope’s opposition to nuclear proliferation, specifically regarding Iran. He stated plainly he doesn’t want a Pope who would tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran, revealing a core divergence in their worldviews.
The former president also took issue with the Pope’s stance on past U.S. interventions, citing Venezuela as an example. He defended the actions taken against the country, alleging it was necessary to stem the flow of drugs and criminals into the United States.
Trump further asserted that the Pope’s rise to the papacy was strategically motivated, suggesting the Catholic Church selected him specifically to manage relations with his administration. He claimed Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican “if I wasn’t in the White House.”
The former president didn’t shy away from questioning the Pope’s legitimacy, describing his selection as a “shocking surprise” and implying he wasn’t a natural contender for the position. This adds a layer of personal animosity to the public dispute.
Trump concluded with a direct appeal for the Pope to change course, urging him to abandon what he characterized as catering to the “Radical Left” and instead focus on fulfilling his duties as a religious leader. He warned that the Pope’s current path is damaging both his reputation and the Catholic Church itself.
The former president also criticized the Pope for meeting with figures he deems aligned with the opposition, specifically naming David Axelrod, a political strategist, and accusing him of supporting the pandemic restrictions on religious services. This highlights Trump’s perception of a broader political alignment against him.
