Trump and Pope Leo's Escalating Dispute Over Iran War and Immigration

The war of words between the U.S. president and the Catholic leader has intensified as they clash over policy and theology.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:42am

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A fractured, abstract painting in dark colors depicting a stylized figure representing the clash between political and religious leaders.The escalating war of words between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV reflects the growing divide between the administration's hawkish policies and the Vatican's calls for peace.Washington Today

President Trump has been engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, over the administration's policies on the war in Iran and immigration. The dispute escalated after Leo criticized the U.S. military operation and Trump's rhetoric, leading to a series of insults and counter-criticisms between the two leaders.

Why it matters

The clash between the U.S. president and the head of the Catholic Church highlights the growing divide between the Trump administration's hawkish foreign policy and the Vatican's calls for peace, as well as the president's ongoing battles with religious leaders over his immigration crackdown.

The details

The dispute began after Pope Leo expressed "deep concern" over the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that launched the "Operation Epic Fury" military operation against Iran in late February. As the war continued, Leo's criticism of the conflict and Trump's rhetoric grew sharper, with the pontiff condemning the president's threat to "destroy Iranian civilization" as "unacceptable." Trump has since lashed out at Leo, calling him "WEAK on Crime" and accusing him of "catering to the Radical Left." The president has also claimed Leo was only elected because he is American, and that he wouldn't be pope if Trump wasn't in the White House.

  • On February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched the "Operation Epic Fury" airstrikes against Iran.
  • The day after the military operation began, Pope Leo expressed "deep concern" and urged the warring parties to "stop the spiral of violence."
  • On April 7, the U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.
  • After watching a "60 Minutes" segment highlighting the pope's criticisms, Trump took to social media to lambast Leo on April 18.

The players

President Donald Trump

The 45th president of the United States, who has been engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo over the administration's policies on the war in Iran and immigration.

Pope Leo XIV

The first American pope, who has criticized the Trump administration's military operation in Iran and its treatment of immigrants, leading to an escalating war of words with the president.

Vice President JD Vance

A Catholic convert who defended the president's use of force, challenging the pope's statement that "God is never on the side of those who wield the sword."

House Speaker Mike Johnson

An evangelical Christian who disputed the pope's remarks about war, arguing that the "Just War doctrine" is a well-settled matter of Christian theology.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian

The Iranian leader who came to the pope's defense, condemning the "insult" to Leo on behalf of the Iranian people.

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What they’re saying

“Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.”

— Pope Leo XIV

“The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone, and the message of the Gospel is very clear: 'Blessed are the peacemakers.'”

— Pope Leo XIV

“I don't think he's doing a very good job. I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo. He's a very liberal person, and he's a man that doesn't believe in stopping crime. He's a man that doesn't think that we should be toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon so they can blow up the world. I'm not a fan of Pope Leo.”

— President Donald Trump

“I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran, and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person.”

— Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian

“It is a very well-settled matter of Christian theology: There's something called the Just War doctrine.”

— House Speaker Mike Johnson, Evangelical Christian

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This clash between the U.S. president and the head of the Catholic Church highlights the growing divide between the Trump administration's hawkish foreign policy and the Vatican's calls for peace, as well as the president's ongoing battles with religious leaders over his immigration crackdown.