How the dispute between Trump and Pope Leo escalated

April 18, 2026

TL;DR

President Trump and Pope Leo XIV have publicly exchanged criticisms regarding the war in Iran and the Pope's calls for peace.
The dispute escalated after joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, with the Pope urging an end to violence and condemning threats against Iranian civilization.
President Trump criticized the Pope, calling him "weak on crime" and "very liberal," and accusing him of being against U.S. policy on Iran and nuclear weapons.
The Pope responded by stating he has "no fear" of the Trump administration and is fulfilling his role as a peacemaker according to the Gospel.
Other figures, including Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson, have weighed in, generally supporting the idea that religious leaders should focus on morality rather than politics.
The Pope has stated that debating Trump is "not in my interest at all" and that some of his comments were prepared before the president criticized him.

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