US President Donald Trump has strongly criticized Pope Leo XIV over his stance on the Iran war, calling the Catholic leader “terrible for foreign policy” and stating he is “not a fan,” in a rare public clash between political and religious authority.
The criticism followed the pope’s remarks condemning US rhetoric and military threats toward Iran as “truly unacceptable,” while urging peace and dialogue. Trump accused the pope of undermining US policy and suggested he should not publicly criticize the American president, also questioning his views on nuclear issues and global conflicts.
Pope Leo, the first American-born pontiff, has increasingly spoken against the war, rejecting the use of religion to justify violence and emphasizing that faith should not be used to support conflict.
The exchange highlights a growing divide between the Vatican’s call for restraint and diplomacy and the US administration’s more aggressive approach, reflecting broader global tensions over the Iran conflict.