Pope Leo says he's "not afraid" to speak out as he clashes with Trump

CBS News
April 14, 2026
2 min read

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Pope Leo publicly stated he is "not afraid" to speak out, highlighting tension with President Trump over the Iran war.

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Pope Leo stated he is "not afraid" to speak out, signaling continued tension with President Trump. The Pope and President Trump remain at odds over the Iran war, with Pope Leo emphasizing his commitment to "speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel." This public declaration highlights the ongoing disagreement between the religious leader and the current President of the United States regarding a major international conflict. The Pope's comments suggest a firm stance against potential White House policies concerning Iran.

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Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and 'AI Jesus' Image Controversy

President Trump is engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, primarily over the Iran war. The controversy intensified after Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, leading to widespread backlash and concerns among Catholic voters.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and AI Jesus Image Controversy

President Donald Trump engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff and later posting an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure. This sparked widespread criticism and debate, particularly among Catholic voters.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and AI Jesus Image Controversy

President Trump is embroiled in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, stemming from the Pope's criticism of the Iran war. The controversy deepened after Trump posted and later deleted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, drawing bipartisan backlash and dismay from Catholics.

Iran & Middle East Conflict

Tracking the evolving military and diplomatic situation across the Middle East, including US-Iran tensions, Israeli operations, proxy conflicts, and the broader geopolitical implications for the region.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and AI Jesus Image Controversy

President Trump is engaged in an escalating feud with Pope Leo XIV, primarily over the pontiff's criticism of the Iran war. The controversy deepened after Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus, drawing widespread backlash and comments from political figures and religious leaders.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo and Mental Acuity Concerns

President Trump is engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, stemming from the Pope's criticism of the Iran war and Trump's controversial AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus. This, coupled with a pattern of erratic behavior, has led to questions about Trump's mental acuity.

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