Donald Trump has launched an unusual and scathing attack on Pope Leo XIV over his opposition to U.S. immigration policy and the war in Iran. The former U.S. president accused the pontiff of being 'weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy' in a recent Truth Social post, stating he was 'not a big fan.' Pope Leo XIV has been vocal in criticizing the war in Iran, calling Trump's threats to destroy Iranian civilization 'unacceptable.' He also questioned whether Trump's hard-line immigration policies align with the pro-life stance of the Catholic Church.

In his post, Trump remarked that the Pope should 'get his act together,' labeling him 'weak on nuclear weapons,' likely in reference to Iran's nuclear ambitions, which have been cited as a reason for conflict between the U.S. and Iran. He further suggested that Pope Leo was elected because he was American, hinting that it was an attempt to manage Trump's presidency. 'If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican,' Trump stated.

The comments drew immediate criticism, with some Catholics and analysts indicating that such direct attacks on the Pope were unprecedented for a U.S. president. Massimo Faggioli, a religious scholar, compared Trump's words to the reactions of fascist leaders like Hitler towards the Pope. During his Easter address, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the need for peace and called for those in power to choose peace over conflict, reinforcing his commitment to promoting de-escalation in the Middle East.