As tensions continue in the Middle East, friction grows between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo.
Trump took to Truth Social on April 12, and in a lengthy post, described Pope Leo as being “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.”
“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,” Trump wrote. “It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church.”
Pope Leo said he has “no fear” of the Trump administration and vowed to continue speaking out against the war in Iran after President Donald Trump criticized the American pontiff for his views on the war and immigration.
“I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do,” Pope Leo told reporters on Monday.
The pope first voiced his opposition to the war on social media and with an April 7 statement posted on the Vatican’s website, shortly after Trump said he would destroy “a whole civilization” by bombing Iran.
Speaking in Italian, the pope then said “Today, as we all know, there has also been this threat against the entire people of Iran. And this is truly unacceptable! There are certainly issues of international law here, but even more, it is a moral question concerning the good of the people as a whole, in its entirety.”
Pope Leo urged, “Come back to the table. Let’s talk. Let’s look for solutions in a peaceful way.”
What did Donald Trump say about the pope?
Trump took to Truth Social on April 12, and in a lengthy post, described Pope Leo as being “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.”
“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,” Trump wrote. “It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church.”
Pope response to Trump
Pope Leo said he has “no fear” of the Trump administration and vowed to continue speaking out against the war in Iran after President Donald Trump criticized the American pontiff for his views on the war and immigration.
“I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do,” Pope Leo told reporters on Monday.
Trump as Jesus: Trump posts image depicting him as Jesus
After Trump blasted the pope, the president posted an image of himself, presumably as a deity, curing an ill man.
USA TODAY contributed to this story.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on x; natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: What did Trump say about the pope? Trump slams Pope Leo on Truth Social
Reporting by Natassia Paloma, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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