“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Leo, the first U.S.-born pope elected last year, has become a vocal opponent of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran that started on February 28. He has also challenged the Trump administration’s immigration tactics.
“Leo should get his act together as Pope,” Trump added in the post, later telling reporters he’s “not a big fan” of the pontiff.
Trump’s attack on Leo further labeled him “weak on nuclear weapons,” coming days after the pope deemed Trump’s threat to obliterate Iranian civilization “truly unacceptable.”
Leo has urged Trump to seek an “off-ramp” from the war and reduce violence levels.
In his message, Trump claimed Leo’s election as Catholic Church leader last year stemmed from his American roots, seen as a strategy “to deal with President Donald J Trump.”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance is Catholic.
The Vatican offered no immediate comment.
Leo has demanded “deep reflection” on U.S. migrant treatment and, last year, questioned if Trump’s strict immigration policies align with the Church’s pro-life doctrine.
“Someone who says I am against abortion but I am in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don’t know if that’s pro-life,” the pope stated in September.
Leo’s push for compassionate immigration policies—echoed by prior popes—clashes with Trump’s view that limiting inflows from developing nations is essential to curb crime.
“He’s a very liberal person and he’s a man who doesn’t believe in stopping crime,” Trump said to reporters Sunday evening.
Trump’s ties with Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, were also tense; Francis once critiqued Trump’s immigration plans during his first presidential run and implied he was “not a Christian.” Trump dubbed Francis “disgraceful” in early 2016.