Yesterday (April 12), Mr Trump, in a rant that was posted on social media, claimed the Pope was "weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy". His full message read: "I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country.
"And I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do... Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician."
Pope Leo XIV. (Image: Getty)
Speaking at the White House today in what is understood to be an unscheduled update, Mr Trump refused to apologies to the Pope. He said Leo XIV is "very weak on crime and other things," and added he has "nothing to apologise for - he's [the Pope] wrong".
Speaking during an evening peace vigil at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Saturday, the first US-born pope issued a direct appeal to world leaders to return to negotiations. Leading the service he said: “Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life."
Although the Iran-US conflict was not specifically mentioned the remarks came as negotiations between the two nations took place in Pakistan. Leo also warned against what he called “that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive”.
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: "I find President Trump's words about the Holy Father unacceptable. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and condemn all forms of war.
Replying to Mr Trump, Pope Leo XIV said as he starts a visit to Africa: "I am not afraid of the Trump administration. I speak of the Gospel and therefore I will continue to speak out loudly against the war. I have no intention of entering into a debate with him," he added.
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English (US) · 