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Geopolitics · Iran War · Religious Leadership · US Foreign Policy
US President Donald Trump publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV's stance on the Iran war and foreign policy, prompting the pontiff to defend his peace-seeking position and reject the Trump administration's rhetoric while embarking on a 10-day trip to Africa.
Trump denounced Pope Leo XIV as "terrible for foreign policy" and "weak on Crime" on Sunday evening and via Truth Social, specifically criticizing the Pope's opposition to Iran having nuclear weapons and his condemnation of US actions in Venezuela. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, stated he has "no fear of the Trump administration" and believes his role is to promote the Gospel's message of peace, not to engage in foreign policy from a political perspective.
The pontiff has consistently pushed back against the idea of divinely supported war, previously condemning Trump's "truly unacceptable" threats against Iran and calling for respectful dialogue on nuclear disarmament last June. Vatican Official Fr Antonio Spadaro and Catholic media correspondent Elise Ann Allen interpreted Trump's attacks as a sign that the Pope's moral voice is impactful and that Trump feels threatened by Leo's growing international stature, especially among moderate Catholics.
The pontiff has criticized the war in Iran and appealed to Catholic faithful to press their political representatives to end the conflict.
