In a message from April 13, 2026, Pope Leon XIV stated that he had no response to give to Donald Trump after the American president criticized him for his anti-war speech the day before.
President Donald Trump expressed his lack of admiration for Pope Leon XIV, calling him a “very progressive” individual who does not believe in the fight against crime. Trump accused the pope of playing with a country that wishes to acquire nuclear weapons, referring to Iran.
Trump went on to post a lengthy message on his Truth Social network, accusing Pope Leon XIV of supporting Iran’s nuclear armament program, opposing the US military operation in Venezuela in January, and meeting with sympathizers of former Democratic President Barack Obama.
The American leader criticized Pope Leon for being weak on crime and foreign policy, insinuating that the pope was appointed simply because he is American. Trump claimed that Leon would not be in the Vatican if he were not in the White House.
The pope, on the other hand, called for “forgiveness” upon his arrival in Algeria for a historic visit, stating that he had no intention of engaging in a debate with Trump and was not afraid of his administration.
Pope Leon XIV previously made strong statements against conflicts worldwide, urging for unity and service to combat war. He emphasized the need for leaders to work towards peace through dialogue and mediation.
Since his election in May 2025, Pope Leon XIV has been vocal about his disagreements with some of the Trump administration’s decisions while keeping channels of communication open.
