President Donald Trump speaks with reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sunday, April 12, 2026, after he returned from Miami. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Michael J. O'Loughlin
NCR executive editor
Brian Fraga
Staff Reporter
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President Donald J. Trump published a lengthy attack on Pope Leo XIV on Sunday night, calling the first U.S.-born pope "terrible on Foreign Policy," citing Leo's opposition to the ongoing war in Iran and U.S. military action in Venezuela and stating that his pontificate is hurting the church.
"I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon," Trump posted to Truth Social on Sunday night. "I don't want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I'm doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History."
Trump made similar comments to reporters on Sunday gathered at Joint Base Andrews.
Trump's post came shortly after "60 Minutes" aired an interview featuring three U.S. Cardinals – Blase Cupich of Chicago, Joseph Tobin of Newark and Robert McElroy of Washington – who were critical of Trump's foreign policy objectives and his deportation strategies at home.
In introducing the "60 Minutes" segment, CBS News journalist Norah O'Donnell said that Leo had become "increasingly outspoken" against the Trump administration's policies, and that the pope has emerged as a voice of moral opposition to the war in Iran and the administration's mass deportation campaign.
O'Donnell asked the three cardinals whether they would like to see Leo be even more outspoken on issues that he disagrees with. Tobin said that the pope is "the pastor of the world, he's not a pundit."
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"So the distinction is that he's not going to pronounce on everything, but he's going to pronounce on what's important," Tobin said.
On April 7, Trump threatened Iran, posting on social media, "a whole civilization will die," which prompted Leo to respond, saying such threats were "truly unacceptable." On Saturday, Leo led a prayer service for peace in Rome, and while he did not mention Trump by name, his comments seemed aimed at the ongoing war.
"Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!" the pope said. "True strength is shown in serving life."
In his post on Truth Social, Trump praised Leo's brother, Louis, whom he hosted at the White House last year, and he also took credit for Leo's election as pope.
"Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "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."
"If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican," Trump wrote.
In his post, Trump also accused the pope of being "WEAK on crime," and said that his pontificate is bad for the church.
"Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It's hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it's hurting the Catholic Church!" Trump wrote.
Leo departs for a 11-day tour through Africa on Monday.
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