politics
April 16, 2026
Pope Leo says world is being 'ravaged' by 'tyrants' after feud with Trump
Pope Leo XIV warned that the world is being “ravaged by tyrants” after engaging this week in a feud with President Donald Trump over the war in Iran.
TL;DR
- Pope Leo XIV spoke in Cameroon, condemning 'tyrants' and urging the government to break 'the chains of corruption.'
- He criticized individuals who 'manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain.'
- The Pope openly criticized the war in Iran, stating that God does not bless any war or nations that 'drop bombs.'
- Pope Leo explicitly called out Trump's threat that 'a whole civilization will die tonight' before the Iran ceasefire.
- President Trump previously criticized the Pope on Truth Social, calling him 'weak on crime' and 'terrible for foreign policy.'
- Trump posted an AI-image of himself appearing to heal a man, which was later deleted, with Trump denying depicting himself as Jesus.
- The Pope responded that his words are not attacks and he has 'no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel.'