Trump–Pope Rift Explodes: Trump Calls Pope Leo ‘Weak on Crime,’ Backs ‘MAGA’ Brother After War and Immigration Criticism

President Trump slammed Pope Leo XIV for being “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” in a lengthy Truth Social post following the American pontiff’s veiled rebukes of the Iran war.

“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote Sunday night.

“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country,” he continued.

And 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’s rambling post comes just one day after Pope Leo condemned the “idolatry of self” and “delusion of omnipotence” at play in the US-Israel war in Iran during a prayer service in Rome.

While Leo hasn’t called out Trump by name, he has consistently condemned the war in Iran and urged government officials on all sides to lay down their weapons.

During his historic Palm Sunday address, the pontiff plainly preached that God does not hear the prayers of disdainful world leaders with “hands full of blood” or those “who wage war.”

He has also implored the public not to use God’s name in vain, particularly in the context of war.

“Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death,” Leo said during Saturday’s evening vigil in Rome.

Many members of Trump’s cabinet have sought to infuse Christianity into their respective departments’ messaging. Few have gone as far as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has called for and led prayers inside the Pentagon and at wartime press conferences.

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Politics

Trump blasts Pope Leo as ‘weak,’ says he prefers his ‘MAGA’ brother after pontiff’s veiled jabs over Iran war, immigration

By Caitlin McCormack

Published April 12, 2026

Updated April 12, 2026, 10:33 p.m. ET

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President Trump slammed Pope Leo XIV for being “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” in a lengthy Truth Social post following the American pontiff’s veiled rebukes of the Iran war.

“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote Sunday night.

“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country,” he continued.

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“And 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.”

MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 11: U.S. President Donald Trump waves to the media after walking off of Air Force One at Miami International Airport on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. President Trump came to town to attend a UFC Fight. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX***

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President Trump said Pope 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,” on Truth Social Sunday.

Getty Images

Trump’s remarks come after the pontiff denounced the US-Israeli war with Iran as “atrocious” and said Jesus cannot be ⁠used to justify any wars.

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Trump’s remarks come after the pontiff denounced the US-Israeli war with Iran as “atrocious” and said Jesus cannot be ⁠used to justify any wars.

via REUTERS

Trump’s rambling post comes just one day after Pope Leo condemned the “idolatry of self” and “delusion of omnipotence” at play in the US-Israel war in Iran during a prayer service in Rome.

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While Leo hasn’t called out Trump by name, he has consistently condemned the war in Iran and urged government officials on all sides to lay down their weapons.

During his historic Palm Sunday address, the pontiff plainly preached that God does not hear the prayers of disdainful world leaders with “hands full of blood” or those “who wage war.”

He has also implored the public not to use God’s name in vain, particularly in the context of war.

Donald Truup from Truth Social

Donald Truup from Truth Social

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Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure in a subsequent Truth Social post after blasting Pope Leo.

Donald J Trump?Truth Social

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“Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death,” Leo said during Saturday’s evening vigil in Rome.

Many members of Trump’s cabinet have sought to infuse Christianity into their respective departments’ messaging. Few have gone as far as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has called for and led prayers inside the Pentagon and at wartime press conferences.

Pope Leo XIV

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Pope Leo XIV boards his plane heading to Algiers at Rome’s Fiumicino airport on April 13, 2026.

AFP via Getty Images

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While slamming the Chicago-born pope in his Truth Social post, Trump also lauded Leo’s estranged brother and outspoken supporter of the president, 73-year-old Louis Prevost, with praise.

“I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!” Trump ranted.

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Trump originally celebrated Leo’s appointment as “a great honor for our country, but apparently hasn’t been impressed by his service.

“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,” the president added.

“It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church

Trump then shared an AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure on his social platform.