politics
April 13, 2026
Trump criticizes Pope Leo as ‘weak on crime’ and ‘terrible on foreign policy’
President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV on Sunday night, responding to recent remarks the pontiff made about Trump and his political agenda, particularly the war in Iran. Trump commented on Leo twice on Sunday, first in a social media post on his Truth Social account and then at Joint Base Andrews after departing Air Force One.
TL;DR
- President Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV on social media and in person, calling him 'weak on crime' and 'terrible for foreign policy'.
- Trump disagreed with Pope Leo's views on Iran potentially having nuclear weapons and on US military actions in Venezuela.
- Pope Leo had condemned violence and the use of drones in a recent X post, referencing a desire for a 'Kingdom of God' without 'sword' or 'drone'.
- Trump also suggested Pope Leo's election was influenced by his American nationality, intended to create a political counterweight to Trump.
- The President also criticized Leo for meeting with 'Obama Sympathizers' like David Axelrod and for being 'weak on crime'.