Obama May Meet Pope Leo Before Trump, Report Says

Tensions rise between Trump administration and Vatican over Iran policy and treatment of Cardinal Christophe Pierre.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:56pm

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A cinematic painting of the exterior of the Vatican, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a moody, nostalgic atmosphere. A solitary figure stands in the foreground, symbolizing the political tension between the U.S. and the Holy See.The strained relationship between the Trump administration and the Vatican casts a long shadow over the future of U.S.-Holy See diplomacy.White House Today

A new report suggests that former President Barack Obama may meet with Pope Leo XIV before current President Donald Trump, as the Trump administration has had a tense relationship with the Vatican since taking office. The report cites unnamed senior Vatican sources and details a closed-door meeting where a Defense Department official invoked the Avignon Papacy, which some Vatican officials interpreted as a threat of military force against the Holy See.

Why it matters

The potential meeting between Obama and Pope Leo would be seen as a diplomatic snub of the Trump administration, which has clashed with the Vatican over issues like the Iran policy and the treatment of Cardinal Christophe Pierre. The tensions highlight the broader challenges the Trump White House has faced in maintaining positive relationships with international institutions and religious leaders.

The details

The report states that the Trump administration has had a contentious relationship with the Vatican, declining to meet with Vice President JD Vance and facing backlash from Pope Leo over Trump's threat to 'wipe out an entire civilization' in Iran. In a closed-door meeting, a Defense Department official reportedly invoked the Avignon Papacy, which some Vatican officials interpreted as a threat of military force against the Holy See. This led the Vatican to suggest that Pope Leo may never visit the United States under the current administration.

  • On Tuesday, Pope Leo spoke out against Trump's Iran policy.
  • In January, the Pentagon met with Cardinal Christophe Pierre, leading to tensions.

The players

Barack Obama

The former President of the United States who may meet with Pope Leo XIV before the current administration.

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States, whose administration has had a tense relationship with the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope, who has criticized the Trump administration's policies and may meet with former President Obama before Trump.

Cardinal Christophe Pierre

A Vatican official who met with the Pentagon, leading to tensions between the Trump administration and the Holy See.

JD Vance

The current Vice President, who declined to meet with Cardinal Pierre.

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What they’re saying

“There are certainly issues of international law here, but even more so a moral issue for the good of the whole, entire population. I would like to invite everyone to truly think in their hearts about the many innocent people, so many children, so many elderly, completely innocent, who would also become victims of this escalation of a war that began from the very first days.”

— Pope Leo XIV, Pope

“The Pope may well never visit the United States under this [Trump] administration.”

— Vatican Official

What’s next

The Vatican and the Trump administration will likely continue to navigate their tense relationship, with the possibility of Pope Leo XIV declining to visit the United States as long as Trump remains in office.

The takeaway

The potential meeting between Obama and Pope Leo highlights the broader challenges the Trump administration has faced in maintaining positive relationships with international institutions and religious leaders, particularly over foreign policy issues like the Iran conflict.