Trump attacks Pope Leo over Iran war stance, says he is ‘not a fan’

US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Pope Leo XIV over his position on the Iran conflict, escalating tensions between the White House and the Vatican.

Speaking to reporters, Trump dismissed the pope’s views on nuclear weapons and foreign policy, calling them misguided. He said he disagreed with any stance that appeared to tolerate Iran obtaining nuclear capabilities and made it clear he did not support the pontiff’s approach.

The remarks come after Pope Leo, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, publicly rebuked Trump’s rhetoric during the conflict. He had described threats against Iran as unacceptable, particularly after Trump warned of devastating consequences shortly before a temporary ceasefire was reached.

The pope has also rejected attempts to frame the war in religious terms. During Palm Sunday remarks, he stressed that faith should not be used to justify violence, saying that Christ stands for peace and not war.

Trump doubled down on his criticism in a social media post, accusing the pope of being weak on crime and ineffective on international affairs. He also suggested that the Church elevated Leo to the papacy partly because of his American background.

The dispute has widened following US actions abroad, including operations linked to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, which the pope said should respect the will of the people and promote stability.

Pope Leo has consistently advocated for nuclear disarmament, urging dialogue and cooperation to reduce global threats. Meanwhile, Trump’s latest comments coincided with a televised report highlighting support among senior American clergy for the pope’s stance on both the war and US domestic policies.

In a separate post, Trump also shared an image portraying himself in a religious light, further fuelling controversy around his remarks.

Pope condemns Trump’s Iran threat

Pope Leo XIV strongly criticised Donald Trump over his warning that Iranian civilisation could be destroyed, calling the remarks “truly unacceptable” and a dangerous escalation of rhetoric.

Speaking near Rome, the pope had said threats targeting an entire nation’s population crossed a moral line and risked deepening an already volatile conflict. He stressed that any attack on civilian infrastructure would violate international law and reflect the destructive consequences of war.

The comments followed Trump’s statement that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran failed to meet US demands, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The warning came amid heightened tensions and fears of broader regional instability.

Pope Leo, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, urged citizens, particularly in the United States, to take a stand against war by contacting political leaders and lawmakers. He called on them to prioritise diplomacy and work towards de-escalation instead of confrontation.

Reiterating his Easter message, the pontiff described the conflict as unjust and counterproductive, warning that continued escalation would not lead to any meaningful resolution. He emphasised that violence only fuels division and suffering, rather than bringing lasting peace.

The pope also underscored the humanitarian consequences of targeting infrastructure, noting that such actions harm ordinary people and undermine global norms. He appealed for unity and dialogue, urging the international community to reject war and commit to peaceful solutions.