Pope Leo XIV has made a powerful statement in response to Donald Trump’s claims about his character.
Trump took to social media and criticized the Pope in a scathing post where he called him “weak on crime” and “terrible on foreign policy.”
The US President penned the long-winded post after Leo had seemingly referenced him in his Palm Sunday address in Rome, though the 79-year-old was not mentioned by name.
In a candid speech, the pontiff called out the “idolatry of self” and “delusion of omnipotence” involved in the US-Israel war on Iran.
Speaking of the leaders involved, he reiterated that God doesn’t hear prayers from world leaders with “hands full of blood” or those “who wage war,” calling for government officials on both sides to stand down.
The two had reportedly fallen out months ago, after a meeting between a Catholic official and the Pentagon ended on bad terms.
Pope Leo’s response to Trump
Speaking to journalists on a flight heading to Algiers on April 13, Leo stated that he has “no fear of the Trump administration,” and that he will keep speaking out about global issues.
The Pope said on the Papal plane: “I will not enter into debate. The things I say are not meant as attacks on anyone,
“I am inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, of looking for ways to avoid war any time that’s possible,” as reported by CNN.
The pontiff said that his goal is to “continue on with what I believe is the mission of the Church in the world today.”
He added that as he does not fear the Trump administration or speaking the word of the Gospel, he will not stop.
“We are not politicians, we don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective (as) he might understand it. But I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker,” Leo concluded.
He has previously addressed those who use God’s name in vain in the context of war, saying: “Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of de:ath.”
What did Trump say online?
The Pope had previously opposed Trump’s views on immigration and war since the conflict in the Middle East started in February, with it being reported that the former turned down an invitation to join the President for the US’ 250-year celebrations in July.
Writing on Sunday evening on Truth Social, Trump said: “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.
“He talks about ‘fear’ of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart.”
continued on: “I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!”
Trump said that he didn’t want a Pope who advocated for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, or one “who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela”.
The POTUS added: “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.”
After that, he claimed that he has been “setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History”.
Trump then claimed that Leo wouldn’t be Pope if he weren’t President, claiming that he should “use common sense” and “focus on being a Great Pope, not a politician.”
President Donald Trump has come under fresh scrutiny over his fitness to lead after posting a heated message about the conflict with Iran, drawing criticism from Democrats and even some fellow Republicans.
In recent days, the president Trump has been urging US allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has closed. Yet, leaders including Keir Starmer, have made clear they will not send warships, rather than focusing on diplomatic efforts, an approach Trump and his supporters have strongly criticized.
Trump’s recent updates on Iran and the Twenty-fifth Amendment
On Easter Sunday, the POTUS escalated tensions further with a post suggesting new strikes were imminent, saying Tuesday would be “power plant day, and bridge day,” implying attacks on critical Iranian infrastructure.
After that, he added: “There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F**kin’ Strait, you crazy b**tards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”
The remarks prompted some politicians to suggest invoking the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, a rarely used mechanism that enables a president to be removed from power under certain conditions.
The amendment is primarily designed to handle presidential succession and is divided into four sections. The first three outline scenarios where the vice president, currently JD Vance, would take over, such as if a president dies, resigns, or temporarily steps aside, as George W. Bush once did for medical procedures.
The fourth section is the most controversial. It allows the vice president and cabinet to declare that the president is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.”
If that happens, the president can contest the claim. If he does so, the vice president has four days to reaffirm the decision, triggering a vote in Congress. A two-thirds majority would then be required to permanently remove the president.
What have political experts said?
Chris Murphy has been one of the first to call for this step, reacting to Trump’s post by writing: “If I were in Trump’s Cabinet, I would spend Easter calling constitutional lawyers about the 25th Amendment.
“This is completely, utterly unhinged. He’s already k:illed thousands. He’s going to kill thousands more.”
Even some of Trump’s allies have voiced concern. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized the message, saying: “this is NOT what we promised the American people when they overwhelmingly voted in 2024.”
She added: “This is not making America great again, this is evil.”
