I don’t want a Pope who thinks Iran having nuclear weapons is acceptable: Donald Trump

Washington DC (USA) – Donald Trump sharply criticised the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, saying, “I don’t want a Pope who believes it is acceptable for Iran to possess nuclear weapons. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it was wrong for the US to take action against Venezuela, a country that was sending large quantities of drugs into America and, worse, emptying its prisons by sending murderers and drug mafia members into our country. I don’t want a Pope who criticises the President of the United States, because I am doing exactly what I was elected to do by a massive majority.” He further claimed that he has reduced crime to record lows and created the largest stock market boom in history. The Pope had earlier criticised the Iran war without directly naming Trump or the United States. In response, Trump issued strong remarks against him, even referring to the Pope in a casual or informal manner. Trump also shared an image portraying himself as Jesus Christ, surrounded by divine light and shown healing a person.

🔥 Trump vs Vatican: Explosive Clash Over Iran War
“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s okay for Iran to have nuclear weapons!”
– Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump launches a blistering attack on Pope Leo XIV, calling him:
⚡ “Weak on crime”
⚡ “Terrible for foreign policy”… https://t.co/iFdf9nGHuU pic.twitter.com/eHjtullzb2

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) April 13, 2026

Trump’s social media posts criticising Pope Leo XIV

1. Trump said that Pope Leo XIV is weak on crime and very poor on foreign policy. He accused the Pope of speaking about “fear” under the Trump administration but ignoring the fear within churches during the COVID-19 pandemic. He claimed that priests and ministers were arrested for holding services, even when people were outdoors and socially distanced. He added that he prefers Leo’s brother Louis, whom he described as fully aligned with the “Make America Great Again” ideology, saying Louis understands things better than Leo.

2. Trump said Leo should be grateful, as his selection as Pope was a shocking surprise and he was not on any shortlist. He alleged that the Church chose him because he was American and believed it would help in dealing with Trump. He claimed that if he were not in the White House, Leo would not be in the Vatican. He added that Leo’s “soft stance” on crime and nuclear weapons is unacceptable.

3. Trump accused Leo of meeting supporters of Barack Obama, describing them as left-wing failures who, according to him, support the arrest of churchgoers and clergy.

4. He advised Leo to improve his conduct as Pope, use practical judgement, stop appeasing the radical left, and focus on being a “great Pope” instead of acting like a politician. He said Leo’s approach is harming both himself and, more importantly, the Catholic Church.