United States President Donald Trump has issued a strong criticism of Pope Leo, describing him as “weak” on crime and “terrible” in foreign policy following comments made by the pontiff on US foreign and immigration policies.
In a post published on the social media platform Truth Social on Sunday (April 12), Trump launched a sharp rebuke, escalating tensions between the political leader and the head of the Catholic Church. The remarks quickly drew attention due to their unusually direct tone.
The former president wrote that Pope Leo was “WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy,” in a lengthy online statement. He also urged the pontiff to “get his act together,” reflecting growing friction over international policy positions.
The exchange follows Pope Leo’s recent criticisms of US foreign policy, particularly comments linked to the conflict involving Israel and Iran that escalated on February 28. The Pope has also expressed concern over statements attributed to Trump regarding Iran, calling threats against civilian populations “unacceptable.”
In addition, Pope Leo has repeatedly called for deeper reflection on the treatment of migrants in the United States under current policies, positioning himself as a vocal critic of hardline immigration approaches.
Trump later told reporters that he was “not a big fan” of the Pope, further intensifying the public dispute. The latest remarks highlight how global political and religious figures are increasingly engaging in direct public exchanges over sensitive international issues, underscoring the intersection between diplomacy, morality and domestic policy debates.
