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Washington: President Donald Trump unleashed a sharp critique against Pope Leo XIV late Sunday night following the pontiff’s remarks on his foreign and immigration policies.
“Pope Leo is feeble on crime and disastrous for foreign policy,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Leo, who last year became the first U.S.-born pope, has been openly critical of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran that started on February 28. He also previously questioned the Trump administration’s immigration tactics.
“Leo should get his act together as pope,” Trump said in his post Sunday, later adding to reporters that he’s “not a big fan” of the pope.
Trump’s attack on Leo also accused him of being “weak on nuclear weapons,” days after Leo described President Trump’s threat to wipe out Iranian civilization as “completely unacceptable.”
During a Palm Sunday address at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City last month, the pope condemned leaders who start wars and have “blood on their hands,” labeling Iran’s conflict as “atrocious.” He urged Trump to find a peaceful path forward and reduce violence.
In his post, Trump claimed Leo was only chosen as pope last year because he’s American, suggesting the move was a strategy to influence Trump. The Vatican has yet to comment.
Leo has called on the United States to reflect deeply on its treatment of migrants. Last year, he questioned whether Trump’s tough immigration policies align with the Catholic Church’s stance on defending life.
“You can’t say you’re against abortion yet support inhumane treatment of immigrants,” Leo stated in September.
This compassionate approach to immigration, shared by many of Leo’s predecessors, contrasts sharply with Trump’s view that immigration from developing nations should be limited to reduce crime.
“He’s very liberal and doesn’t believe in stopping crime,” Trump alleged on Sunday night.
Trump also had strained relations with Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, who criticized Trump’s immigration plans during his campaign and implied Trump wasn’t a Christian. Trump earlier called Francis “disgraceful” in 2016.
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