Trump calls Pope Leo 'terrible' in unusual, direct attack on Church leader - Reuters

Reuters
April 13, 2026
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2 min read

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President Trump criticized Pope Leo, calling him "weak" on crime and "terrible," sparking debate among religious conservatives.

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President Trump attacked Pope Leo, labeling him "weak" on crime and "terrible." This criticism marks an unusual intervention by a sitting U.S. president into historical religious leadership. The comments could spark debate among religious conservatives and political commentators regarding the President's choice of targets for criticism. This public statement could also be interpreted as an attempt to appeal to a specific segment of his political base.

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