Donald Trump has launched a fresh verbal attack on Pope Leo XIV, criticising the pontiff’s positions on foreign policy, immigration and security in a renewed public dispute between the White House and the Vatican.
In a post on Truth Social late Sunday, the U.S. president wrote: “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.”
The comments come amid ongoing criticism from Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, over Washington’s approach to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran as well as its immigration policies.
“Leo should get his act together as Pope,” Trump added, later telling reporters he was “not a big fan” of the Catholic leader.
Trump also accused the pontiff of being “weak on nuclear weapons,” coming days after Pope Leo condemned threats to destroy Iranian civilisation as “truly unacceptable.”
During a Palm Sunday address at St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, the pope denounced world leaders who fuel conflict.
He said God rejects the prayers of those who start wars and have their “hands full of blood,” while describing the conflict in Iran as “atrocious.”
Pope Leo has also called on the U.S. president to seek an “off-ramp” to ease tensions and to “decrease the amount of violence” in global conflicts.
In his social media remarks, Trump further suggested that the pope’s election may have carried political undertones.
“He was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”
The Vatican has not yet issued any official response to Trump’s latest comments.
Beyond matters of foreign policy, Pope Leo has also repeatedly challenged Trump’s immigration policies, urging more humane treatment of migrants.
“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 said last September.
Trump, however, has defended his stance, insisting stricter immigration controls are necessary to address crime and national security concerns.
“He’s a very liberal person and he’s a man who doesn’t believe in stopping crime,” he told reporters.
The latest exchange adds to a long history of tensions between Trump and the Catholic Church leadership.
Trump had earlier clashed with Pope Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, during his first presidential campaign, after the late pontiff criticised his immigration proposals.
