Pope Leo says he has "no fear" after Trump slams the pontiff

CBS News
April 13, 2026
2 min read

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Pope Leo XIV stated he has "no fear" after President Trump criticized the pontiff.

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Pope Leo XIV stated he has "no fear of the Trump administration" after President Trump delivered sharp criticisms against the pontiff. This public exchange marks a significant disagreement between the leader of the Catholic Church and the President of the United States. The Pope's direct response suggests a firm stance against the White House's remarks. CBS News' Chris Livesay reported on the Pope's comments.

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Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV

President Trump publicly attacked Pope Leo XIV, labeling him 'weak on crime' and 'terrible for foreign policy,' particularly regarding the Iran war. The Pope, on an international visit, responded by stating he has 'no fear' of the Trump administration, escalating an unusual public feud between the two.

Pope Leo XIV's Papal Visit to Algeria and Response to Trump

Pope Leo XIV embarked on a historic 11-day papal tour to Africa, beginning with a visit to Algeria, the first by a pontiff. During his visit, he called for peace and addressed criticisms from President Trump, stating he has 'no fear' of the administration, highlighting the growing importance of Africa to the Catholic Church and the Vatican's stance on global issues.

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 Controversial AI Jesus Image and Pope Leo Feud

President Trump faced widespread criticism and backlash for posting an AI-generated image depicting him as a Jesus-like figure on social media. This incident coincided with a public feud between Trump and Pope Leo XIV, where the Pope responded to Trump's criticisms by stating he had 'no fear' of the administration.

AI & Technology

Following the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on society, including regulation debates, workforce disruption, military applications, privacy concerns, and the race between tech giants and governments to shape AI's future.

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

President Trump has engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff as 'weak' on various issues. This controversy was further fueled by Trump posting and then deleting an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, drawing widespread criticism and concern.

Trump's AI Image as Jesus and Feud with Pope Leo

President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, which he later claimed was meant to portray him as a doctor. This incident, combined with his public criticisms of Pope Leo XIV, has drawn widespread criticism and sparked debate about his behavior and religious commentary.

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