Former President Trump sharply criticized Pope Leon XIV in a Truth Social post and subsequent remarks, accusing him of weakness on crime and foreign policy.
Trump Criticizes Pope Leon XIV
Donald Trump strongly criticized the head of the Catholic Church in a post on the Truth Social platform, reiterating his position during a conversation with journalists at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington.
Trump’s Accusations Against the Pope
Trump stated, “Pope Leon is WEAK on crime and terrible on foreign policy. He talks about ‘fear’ of the Trump administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR the Catholic Church and all other Christian organizations felt during the COVID pandemic, when priests, clergy, and everyone else were arrested for holding services.” He added he much prefers the Pope’s brother, Louis Prevost, who “is totally MAGA.”
Objections to Papal Positions
“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s okay for Iran to have nuclear weapons. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a country that was sending huge amounts of drugs into the United States and, worse, emptying its prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our country,” Trump added. He also asserted he was overwhelmingly elected to address crime and build a record-breaking stock market.
Call for Papal Improvement
Trump asserted the Pope should be grateful, claiming he was elected only because he was American, and “they” believed it was the best way to deal with him. He stated Leon XIV wouldn’t be in the Vatican if he hadn’t been president.
Trump’s Graphic Post
“Leon should get his act together as a Pope, use common sense, stop pandering to the radical left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a politician. It’s hurting him very badly, and more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!” Trump concluded.
Following his criticism, Trump posted an image on Truth Social depicting himself as Jesus healing a sick man, featuring imagery including the Statue of Liberty and American flags.
Image Origins and Reactions
The image, potentially generated with artificial intelligence, was originally posted on Instagram by Australian right-wing commentator Nick Adams, who called it “America is sick. President Trump is healing this country.” Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene described it as “more than blasphemy—it’s the spirit of the Antichrist.”
Trump Defends His Criticism
When questioned by reporters, Trump said he believes Leon “isn’t doing a good job” and “apparently likes crime,” pointing to his defense of immigrants. He labeled the Pope “very liberal” and stated he is “not a fan of Pope Leon.”
Papal Calls for Peace and Criticism of War
Trump’s comments followed the Pope’s calls for peace in Iran and an end to “the madness of war.” He also spoke of the Kingdom of God as a “bastion against the illusion of omnipotence,” interpreted as a reference to the situation in the U.S.
Criticism of Trump’s Policies
CBS News aired a report on Leon’s critical stance towards Trump’s wars and immigration policies, including interviews with three American cardinals who deemed war with Iran unjust under Catholic doctrine. Cardinals also criticized the approach to immigrants, with Archbishop Joseph Tobin calling ICE “an organization of lawlessness.”
Pentagon Intervention and Denials
Reports revealed the Pentagon summoned the Papal Nuncio, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, to protest the Pope’s comments on U.S. foreign policy regarding Venezuela. Sources claimed a Pentagon official threatened the cardinal, referencing the Avignon Papacy. Both the Pentagon and the Vatican denied any threats were made.
