Washington, DC – In a new chapter of the clash between political and religious authority, US President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on Pope Leo XIV on Sunday in response to the latter’s sharp criticism of the US war with Iran.
This public dispute further complicates an already tense international landscape. Simultaneously, the United States began implementing a comprehensive naval blockade and threatened military strikes. On his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed his deep displeasure with the pontiff’s interference in political and military affairs. He stated, “I don’t want a pope criticizing the president of the United States, because I am doing exactly what I was elected to do, and by an overwhelming majority.”
Trump went even further, questioning the legitimacy of the Pope’s ascension to the papacy. He added sarcastically, “Leo should be grateful, because his selection was a shocking surprise to everyone. His name wasn’t on any list of candidates, and the church only put him on because he’s American, thinking that this was the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”
They are the ultimate power, and the Vatican responds.
Pope Leo XIV had earlier on Sunday issued his strongest condemnation yet of what he called the “illusion of absolute power” fueling US and Israeli military moves against Iran. During his evening prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica, coinciding with the stalled negotiations with Islamabad, the Pope made a direct appeal to world leaders: “Stop! It is a time for peace! Sit down at tables of dialogue, not tables where rearmament is planned. Enough of the worship of self and money! Enough of the show of force! Enough of war!” Although the Pope did not mention Trump by name, his message was clearly directed at US officials who have used religious language to justify military superiority. Leo XIV described prayer as the only way to “break the diabolical cycle of evil,” and strongly criticized the exploitation of the Christian faith to portray war as a holy battle to defeat enemies.
Diplomacy under the church dome
The Mass was attended by a number of diplomatic figures, including the Archbishop of Tehran, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, while the United States was represented by Laura Hochla, Deputy Chief of Mission.
The 70-year-old Pope recalled the Vatican’s opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, warning against repeating the same humanitarian and political mistakes. Leo XIV, known for his careful choice of words, has recently emerged as one of the most vocal international opponents of military escalation against Iran. This has put him at odds with the Trump administration, which sees military pressure as the only way to protect its interests. Consequently, this raises the possibility of a rift between the White House and the Vatican under the current circumstances.
