April 13, (THEWILL) — United States President, Donald Trump, has sharply criticised Pope Leo XIV, describing the head of the Roman Catholic Church as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” following the pontiff’s renewed call for global peace amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Trump, speaking to reporters late Sunday at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, said he was “not a big fan” of the 70-year-old American pope, accusing him of adopting overly liberal positions that undermine global security efforts.
“I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo. He’s a very liberal person, and he’s a man who doesn’t believe in stopping crime,” Trump stated. He further alleged that the pontiff was “toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon,” in reference to Iran.
The remarks followed a passionate appeal by Pope Leo XIV on Saturday at St. Peter’s Basilica, where he urged world leaders to abandon conflict and prioritise peace.
“Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!” the pope declared, in a message widely interpreted as directed at ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Iran.
Trump doubled down on his criticism in a post on his Truth Social platform, insisting that he would not support a religious leader who appears tolerant of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” he wrote.
The exchange comes against the backdrop of heightened diplomatic and military developments between the United States and Iran.
Earlier in the week, Trump had issued a stark warning to Tehran, threatening catastrophic consequences in the event of escalation—remarks the pope later condemned as “truly unacceptable,” while urging all parties to return to negotiations.
In a subsequent development, Trump announced that Iran had shown willingness to engage in dialogue, leading to a temporary ceasefire and the convening of high-stakes talks in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The negotiations, described as historic, were attended by senior officials from both sides, including the U.S. Vice President, JD Vance.
However, the marathon 21-hour talks ended without a breakthrough. Vance told reporters that Washington had presented its “final and best offer,” which Iran ultimately rejected, particularly on demands to halt its nuclear programme.
Despite initial optimism welcomed by Pope Leo XIV as a “sign of real hope”, the collapse of the negotiations marked a significant setback in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
Following the breakdown, Trump announced a dramatic escalation in U.S. posture, ordering a naval blockade of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.
In a statement on Sunday, Trump declared: “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.”
He added a stern warning to Iran: “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
Trump maintained that while negotiations had made progress, the core issue of Iran’s nuclear ambitions remained unresolved. “Most points were agreed to. but the only point that really mattered… has not been achieved,” he noted.
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