By Jordan Freiman, News Editor
Updated April 13, 2026 / 5:55 AM EDT
President Trump on Sunday night took aim at Pope Leo XIV in a lengthy Truth Social post, calling the pontiff “weak on crime” and criticizing his approach to foreign policy after the pope repeatedly urged diplomacy and opposed war — particularly over tensions with Iran.
Trump said he did not want “a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon” and complained that Leo had portrayed U.S. actions in a negative light, including remarks about Venezuela. He accused the pope of favoring soft-on-crime and immigration policies and suggested the Vatican elevated Leo partly because he is American, a choice Trump characterized as intended to better manage relations with him.
Pope Leo had publicly condemned Mr. Trump’s earlier threat to “completely destroy Iranian civilization” as unacceptable and asked Catholics and others to press leaders for peace. Speaking Monday while en route to Algeria to begin a 10-day trip to Africa, the pope said his comments were not personal attacks and reiterated the gospel call for peacemaking: “Blessed are the peacemakers,” he said, and added that he would continue to speak for reconciliation and the avoidance of armed conflict.
At a prayer vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica over the weekend, Leo — without naming the president — warned against “the idolatry of self and money,” rejected displays of force and urged leaders to negotiate rather than prepare for rearmament. He also wrote on social media that “God does not bless any conflict,” and in a Palm Sunday homily he suggested that the prayer of those who wage war is not heard by Christ.
After landing in Washington Sunday night, Mr. Trump repeated his objections to reporters. “We don’t like a pope who says it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon,” he said, adding that he did not think the pope was “doing a very good job” and quipping that the pontiff “likes crime, I guess,” while labeling him “very liberal.” Trump urged Leo to “get his act together,” use common sense and focus on spiritual leadership rather than political advocacy, warning that the pope’s comments could harm the Catholic Church.
Chris Livesay contributed to this report.