Trump's fresh criticism of Pope Leo over Iran war

CBS News
April 15, 2026
2 min read

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President Trump continues his feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff on social media.

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President Trump posted fresh criticisms of Pope Leo XIV on social media late Tuesday night, continuing his ongoing feud with the first American pontiff. These remarks focused on the Pope's stance regarding the Iran war, suggesting a disagreement on a significant international conflict. The President's direct public criticism of a religious leader, particularly the head of the Catholic Church, marks a notable development in his administration's relationship with religious institutions. This social media activity was reported by CBS News' Chris Livesay.

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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.

Criticism of Pope Leo XIV by Trump and Vance

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV, particularly regarding the Pope's stance on the Iran war and religion. This has drawn reactions from political figures and the Pope himself.

Trump's Criticism of Pope Leo XIV and Religious Posts

President Trump has engaged in an ongoing public dispute with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff's calls for peace and stance on the Iran conflict. This has been accompanied by Trump's own controversial religious-themed social media posts, including AI-generated images.

Trump Administration's Strained Relationship with Pope Leo XIV

President Trump has engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff's stance on the Iran conflict and other political matters. This unusual tension has drawn reactions from political figures and religious experts, highlighting a divergence in views between the administration and the Vatican.

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