Trump Lashes Out at Pope Leo, A Critic of Iran War
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
President Donald Trump publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV for his opposition to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
AI Summary
President Donald Trump publicly attacked Pope Leo XIV on Truth Social Sunday night, accusing him of being "WEAK on Crime" and "terrible for Foreign Policy." Trump's broadside followed Pope Leo's denunciation of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and his criticism of the U.S. military campaign in Venezuela. The Pope, the first U.S.-born pontiff, had previously called Trump's threat to destroy Iran's "whole civilization" "truly unacceptable." Trump also claimed, without basis, that Leo owed his papacy to him and favored Leo’s brother, Louis Prevost, whom he called “all MAGA.” Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed being "disheartened" by the President's disparaging words.
Source Coverage Map
11 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
Trump attacks Pope Leo, taking credit for his election as bishop of Rome - The Washington Post
Trump calls Pope Leo 'terrible' in public attack after pontiff's anti-war message
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
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 Influence on US Politics and Foreign Policy
Former President Donald Trump continues to exert significant influence on US politics, from taunting foreign leaders and shaping primary elections to making controversial statements on immigration and foreign policy, including his stance on the ongoing Iran conflict.
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
PoliticsTrump lambasts Pope Leo XIV, extending feud over Iran war with first American pontiff - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihAFBVV95cUxObGdaZ1VXOGgtTTNfcGVEUVdoTzRNWnY0bTVWS1Z4d0p1OF9MUkhpZ2ZWZDh5YmFaQmJ2NVE2aXpxdzlJVnVaNUU1czI1b0F0dGh4YkVxS0xXX0x3WVlFZ3hpVXMyUHRqNkM2cFVteE1WcjZ0M0xvbGZKcXhOTjYwLWlEVDc?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump lambasts Pope Leo XIV, extending feud over Iran war with first American pontiff</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
GlobalPope Leo urges end to 'madness of war' as US, Iran start talks - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxOZXpPT0NLSDVfcjcxQTBGUTB6M3Q2VEhhYmtKa0w1Y2NTSlBaVWEwdEJoLWJCYVJuV0tzaEFnb0VwUXNuWVZlZmpTR2xOTHVHMllPeFZHNmkwVVJfaFFuSWNMT0NuLVV3S2J3VG13X0VQd1J5aFN2NWp0REVxalM1b2Nsb2Zad0Q0N1BZZ25pbkJhM096SjhR?oc=5" target="_blank">Pope Leo urges end to 'madness of war' as US, Iran start talks</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
National SecurityUS warns of Iran-affiliated cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure across country
<p>Security agencies say municipalities should watch out for unusual activity, especially in water and energy sectors</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/07/iran-war-live-updates-trump-hormuz-threats-deadline-strikes-middle-east-conflict">Middle East crisis – live updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Top government security agencies issued a warning of Iran-affiliated cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure across the US on Tuesday. In a <a href="https://www.ic3.gov/CSA/2026/260407.pdf">joint statement</a>, the agencies said municipalities, especially in the water and energy sectors, should be on the lookout for unusual activity.</p><p>“Cyberattacks on drinking water and wastewater systems directly threaten public health and community resilience,”<strong> </strong>Jeffrey Hall, an assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance for the<strong> </strong>Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said in a statement. “A single breach can disrupt...
Live: Pope Leo XIV speaks in landmark Algeria visit
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria on Monday at the start of an 11-day tour of Africa, the first international trip of his papacy that risked being overshadowed by public criticism from US President Donald Trump over his stance on the Iran war.
GlobalIran war diverts US military and attention from Asia ahead of Trump's summit with China's leader - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxQX1JzcTd5anFGZTlFaGw4d3JnOWtHRENFOV8zWkhmdWZYRW5sNGI4c3FfdTRPY1ZRS3BuVVdqTjJDVWltVTVCVS16MzJuU0ZqdzIxY3hsR0lZS2hCaWlXRGYzeDlDRXpvbkgxUWhsYnRHZHR2QVpfZWhTb0k2bGlwaGZUaV9MY1N6Vk5oZFRsWDBGUQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Iran war diverts US military and attention from Asia ahead of Trump's summit with China's leader</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
PoliticsTrump blasts MAGA influencers who have split with him over Iran
Trump posts a long critique of several right-wing media figures who have backed him in the past but have been outspoken in their objection to the Iran war.
Iran war tips Trump-Pope tension over the edge
<p>Pope <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/05/pope-leo-trump-iran-war-messages-catholic-church" target="_blank">Leo XIV</a> and <a href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_blank">President Trump</a> are escalating a high-stakes clash over immigration and the Iran war, exposing a rare and widening divide between the Vatican and the White House.</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>The standoff pits the Vatican's moral authority against Washington's political and military power as both shape global narratives on war, diplomacy and human dignity.</p><hr><ul><li>It's one of the sharpest public divides between a pope and a U.S. president in decades, spanning both foreign policy and domestic immigration fights.</li><li>While Catholic leaders are framing the Iran war in terms of <a href="https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/dispatches/2026/04/02/catholic-just-war-iran-debate-regis/" target="_blank">just war theory</a> and civilian protection, Def...
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Fuel efficiency a hot topic at New York Auto Show
US Democratic lawmakers visit Cuba, call on Trump to "bring the rhetoric down" - Reuters
Over-the-counter medication abortion? These researchers say it would be safe
Supreme Court returns state-secrets privilege case to lower court
Automatic registration for US military draft to begin in December
