President Trump Lashes Out at Pope Leo XIV Over Iran Criticism

The president's latest inflammatory remarks target the first American pope, sparking outrage.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 3:52pm

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting the White House in warm, golden light, with the distant dome of the Vatican barely visible, conveying the tension between the political and religious realms.The president's latest attack on the pope further strains the relationship between the White House and the Vatican, exposing the growing divide between political and moral leadership.Chicago Today

President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Pope Leo XIV, the first American leader of the Catholic Church, over the pontiff's criticism of the president's threats to 'wipe out' Iranian civilization. Trump described the pope as 'WEAK on Crime' and 'terrible for Foreign Policy', continuing his pattern of making crude and inflammatory remarks about those who disagree with him.

Why it matters

The president's latest outburst against a prominent religious figure highlights his ongoing disregard for norms of presidential conduct and his willingness to personally attack anyone who dares to criticize his policies or actions. This further erodes the dignity of the office and deepens the partisan divide in the country.

The details

The pope's 'crime' was criticizing Trump's threats to attack Iranian civilian infrastructure, which the pontiff said violates international law. Trump took umbrage at these statements, lashing out on social media by claiming the pope is 'WEAK on Crime' and 'terrible for Foreign Policy'. The president also suggested the pope would not be in the Vatican if Trump was not in the White House.

  • Trump's attacks on the pope came in response to the pontiff's comments earlier this month criticizing the president's threats against Iran.
  • This latest incident follows a pattern of Trump making crude and inflammatory remarks about those who disagree with him, including journalists, political opponents, and even decorated military veterans.

The players

President Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, known for his combative rhetoric and willingness to personally attack his critics.

Pope Leo XIV

The first American to be elected as leader of the Catholic Church, known for his Midwestern common sense and moral leadership.

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What they’re saying

“'Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy'”

— President Donald Trump

“'I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo. If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican.'”

— President Donald Trump

“'It would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality... and let the president stick to dictating American public policy.'”

— Vice President J.D. Vance, Roman Catholic

What’s next

The president's continued attacks on the pope are likely to further inflame tensions between the White House and the Vatican, potentially complicating diplomatic relations and the ability of the two leaders to work together on issues of global importance.

The takeaway

President Trump's latest outburst against Pope Leo XIV is part of a broader pattern of the president making crude, inflammatory, and unpresidential remarks about those who dare to criticize him or his policies. This behavior continues to erode the dignity of the office and deepen partisan divides, rather than bringing the country together.