Trump Brands Pope Leo XIV “Weak on Crime” and “Terrible for Foreign Policy” in Sharp Attack Over Iran War Criticism
Trump Brands Pope Leo XIV “Weak on Crime” and “Terrible for Foreign Policy” in Sharp Attack Over Iran War Criticism President Donald Trump launched a pointed rebuke against Pope Leo XIV on Sunday night, April 13, 2026, through a lengthy post on Truth Social and subsequent comments to reporters upon landing in Washington. In the message, Trump described the pontiff as “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” expressing strong disapproval of the Pope’s repeated criticisms of U.S. military actions and threats in the ongoing conflict with Iran. He stated that he does not want a Pope comfortable with Iran possessing nuclear weapons or opposed to American interventions such as actions in Venezuela, and accused Leo of catering to the “Radical Left” instead of focusing on spiritual leadership. This direct confrontation marks an unusual escalation between a sitting U.S. president and the head of the Catholic Church, which counts 1.4 billion members worldwide. Trump went fur...