Pope Leo said he has "no fear" of Trump after the president said he was not doing a good job. He told reporters: "I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the church is here to do.
" A leading historian has also criticised Trump, noting how "not even Hitler or Mussolini" attacked the Pope so directly.
Pope Leo XIV has publicly criticised Trump's military actions in Iran, describing threats against the country as "totally unacceptable" and calling the conflict unjust, unprovoked, immoral, and illegal. He emphasised peacemaking, stating his message aligns with the Gospel's "blessed are the peacemakers" and that he has "no fear" of the Trump administration.
Trump responded sharply on Sunday, April 12, 2026, via Truth Social and reporters, calling Pope Leo "weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy." He claimed he's "not a big fan," accused the Pope of endorsing nuclear weapons and urban crime, and even suggested Leo wouldn't be Pope without his influence. Trump also posted AI-generated images, including one portraying himself as Jesus and another as the Pope.
This spat follows earlier friction, like the Vatican's February refusal to join Trump's "Board of Peace" initiative, citing the UN's role in crises and clashing with Trump's views on international law.
The exchange has drawn media attention amid Iran's naval blockade and stalled peace talks, highlighting a moral vs. policy divide, with some noting Trump's Catholic administration figures (e.g., JD Vance, Marco Rubio) amid the feud