Elaina Batista, Asst. Social Media Editor
Recently, there has been building tension between Pope Leo XIV and President Trump. In a back and forth between the two on the war in Iran, Pope Leo made a statement that the fighting unleashed in the Middle East is “absurd and inhuman violence.” In his call for peace Pope Leo also stated, “God does not bless any conflict.” Trump claimed that Pope Leo was in favor of Iran having nuclear weapons.
Trump then took to social media to write in a post how the Pope is “weak on crime.” Later, going on to say how he was a shocking pick for pope, stating, “He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”
While speaking to reporters on a flight to Alegria, Leo said, “I have no fear, neither of the Trump administration, nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel. And that’s what I believe I am called here to do.” When asked to comment on Trump’s Truth social post he responded with, “It’s ironic — the name of the site itself. Say no more.”
Vice President JD Vance, has also weighed in on the issue commenting that the pope should, “be careful when he talks about matters of theology.” While the attack on the pope by the United States executive is unprecedented, Leo remains an avid critic of the war.
After Trump threatened to end “a whole civilization” in Iran, the pope said that “this threat against the whole population of Iran was really not acceptable.” Then urged citizens to contact their political leaders to ask them “to work for peace and to reject war always.” It is reported Vance converted, became a Catholic in 2019, and even attended Leo’s inauguration.
Former White House attorney Ty Codd, suggested that President Trump’s cognitive decline has “accelerated” since his first term pointing to his recent attacks against the pope. Trump also posted an AI-generated photo depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, and later took it down claiming that it had been misinterpreted. He thought the image was by a “very beautiful, talented artist”, and believed the picture depicted him as a doctor.
Conservative Activist Reiley Gaines took to X and commented that she couldn’t comprehend why Trump posted the image stating, “Does he actually like this?.. A little humility would serve him well…God shall not be mocked.”
Even Pope Francis has expressed opposition to violence, he wrote to Russian President Vladimir Putin opposing military participation in Syria, and organized an unplanned vigil to call for peace in the country’s civil war. It is not new for popes to voice their opinions on contemporary political matters.
In 2016 a back and forth occurred with Trump, Francis even declared that someone “who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.” Trump described the pope’s remarks to be “Disgraceful.”