President Trump Criticizes Pope Leo XIV Over Iran War Comments in Social Media Post

President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV in a social media post on Sunday, April 12, 2026, labeling the pope as weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy. Trump also referenced a meeting between the pope and Democratic strategist David Axelrod.

The feud escalated following Trump's threat on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to wipe out a whole civilization in Iran if the nation did not make a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The pope described the comment as truly unacceptable and urged citizens worldwide to contact authorities to reject war. A two-week ceasefire was announced the next day.

Leo XIV welcomed the ceasefire announcement on social media, calling it a sign of living hope and emphasizing the need for negotiations to end the war.

During a prayer service in the Vatican on Saturday, April 11, 2026, the pope condemned the delusion of omnipotence fueling conflicts and called for an end to the idolatry of self, money, and displays of power. Trump's Truth Social post praised the pope's brother Louis for supporting MAGA and criticized the Catholic Church's actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trump claimed responsibility for the pope's election, stating that the Church selected an American pope to deal with him.

The president expressed disapproval of the pope's meeting with David Axelrod, a senior adviser to former President Barack Obama. Trump described Axelrod as a loser from the left who supported arresting churchgoers and clerics.

He advised the pope to focus on being a great pope rather than a politician.

XIV addressed Trump's comments on Sunday, April 13, 2026, while speaking to reporters on a flight from Rome to Algeria at the start of an 11-day trip to Africa.