U.S. President Donald Trump has launched an unusually direct public attack on Pope Leo XIV, describing the pontiff as “terrible” in remarks that have drawn swift criticism from religious figures and commentators.
In a post shared on Sunday, Trump accused the pope of being “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” comments widely seen as a response to the pontiff’s recent criticism of U.S. policies, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Washington’s immigration stance.
The remarks triggered immediate reaction from members of the Catholic community. Massimo Faggioli described the comments as unprecedented in tone, noting that modern political leaders have rarely addressed a pope so directly in public.
Religious leaders also voiced concern. Paul S. Coakley said he was troubled by the president’s remarks, emphasizing that the pope’s role is spiritual rather than political.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, has in recent weeks spoken out against the escalation of violence in the Iran conflict, calling war “madness” and urging restraint. He has also questioned whether strict immigration policies align with broader moral teachings on human dignity.
The pope previously suggested that supporting anti-abortion positions while endorsing harsh treatment of migrants raises ethical contradictions, a stance that contrasts sharply with the Trump administration’s approach.
Trump later told reporters he was “not a big fan” of the pope, and suggested that Leo’s election may have been influenced by expectations about dealing with a U.S. president.
The Vatican has not issued an official response. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV is expected to proceed with a scheduled multi-country visit to Africa.
The exchange highlights growing tensions between political leadership in Washington and the Vatican, particularly over war policy and immigration , issues where both sides have taken sharply differing positions.
