Trump attacks Pope over criticism of Iran war

Trump Criticizes Pope for Opposition to US Immigration and Iran Conflict

Donald Trump, the US president, launched a pointed critique against Pope Leo, focusing on his stance against American immigration policies and his disapproval of the war in Iran. In a post on Truth Social, Trump labeled the pontiff as “weak on crime and poor in foreign affairs,” later adding to reporters that he was “not a big fan.” The Pope, known for his firm opposition to the conflict, had previously called Trump’s declaration of intent to dismantle Iranian civilization “unacceptable” and urged the leader to find a “way out” to conclude the war.

Additionally, the Pope raised concerns about whether Trump’s strict immigration policies matched the Catholic Church’s commitment to life. Trump’s remarks coincided with Pope Leo’s ongoing 11-day visit to Africa, marking his second significant international trip since taking office. In the post, Trump claimed the Pope “should get his act together” and accused him of being “weak on nuclear weapons,” likely referring to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, a key justification for the US and Israel’s involvement in the conflict.

When pressed for clarification, Trump elaborated: “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job, he likes crime, I guess.” He further stated, “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 comments sparked swift backlash from Catholics, with one scholar drawing parallels to the Pope’s past interactions with fascist leaders during World War Two.

“Not even Hitler or Mussolini attacked the Pope so directly and publicly,” said Massimo Faggioli, cited by Reuters.

Pope Leo has consistently used public platforms to voice opposition to global conflicts and advocate for reduced tensions in the Middle East. During Trump’s threats against Iran, which included the assertion that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” the Pope responded by calling the statement “truly unacceptable.” In his Easter address, he urged individuals with the means to wage war to opt for peace, stating, “Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.”