“If I weren’t in the White House, Leon wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” he said. This clash, as La Repubblica writes, marks a rare precedent in relations between the White House and the Vatican, raising questions about the influence of political rhetoric on relations with religious institutions at a time of high international tensions.
In an unprecedented move, US President Donald Trump has attacked Pope Leo XIV over the growing criticism of the war in Iran and Lebanon by the first American pope in history. The US president directly attacked the pope in a post on the social network “Truth Social” as well as in public statements ahead of his historic trip to Africa, where Leo is expected to become the first pope to visit Algeria.
In his response, Trump described Pope Leo XIV as “weak” and “incompetent in foreign policy,” also accusing him of ignoring important issues such as the treatment of churches and believers during the Covid-19 pandemic. The American president went further in his criticism, stating that he does not want a Pope who tolerates the possibility of equipping Iran with nuclear weapons, or who criticizes US actions in the international arena. He added that the Pope should focus on his spiritual role and not on politics. In his statements, Trump also mentioned the Pope’s brother, Louis, describing him as closer to his views and those of the Maga Movement, while claiming that the election of Leo XIV as Pope was unexpected and linked precisely to his American origin.
“If I weren’t in the White House, Leon wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” he said. This clash, as La Repubblica writes, marks a rare precedent in relations between the White House and the Vatican, raising questions about the influence of political rhetoric on relations with religious institutions at a time of high international tensions.
UNPRECEDENTED
There have been no disagreements between the White House and the Vatican’s top brass in the past. George W. Bush did not appreciate John Paul II’s criticism of Iraq. And Trump himself had a controversy during his first term with Pope Francis, who had labeled as non-Christian those who built walls to stop immigrants (referring to the wall between the US and Mexico). But it had never happened that a sitting American president attacked a Pope.
CRITICISMS OF POPE LEO
The attacks came after the pope openly criticized the war in Iran and Lebanon. During Holy Week, Pope Leo called Trump’s threats to destroy Iran unacceptable. On Saturday evening, the pope held a prayer for peace where, among other things, he said that “prayer is a barrier to delusions that have become more aggressive.”
THE PENTAGON ISSUE
In recent days, news has circulated that after the Pope’s speech in January to the diplomatic corps in which he said that “war is back in fashion” and denounced the violation of international laws, Cardinal Christophe Pierre was summoned by the Pentagon, with the latter expressing their irritation.
REACTIONS FROM THE CHURCH
The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Paul S. Coakley, reacted by expressing shock at the language used by Trump: “The Pope is not a political rival, but a representative of Christ who speaks in the name of truth and care for people.” Other Church figures also reacted, criticizing the tone of the American president and emphasizing the moral role of the Pope in a time of global conflicts. The Italian Bishops’ Conference, in an official response, expressed solidarity with Pope Leo XIV, recalling that he is not a political figure, but a spiritual leader who defends peace, dialogue and human dignity.