President Donald Trump speaks with reporters at Joint Base Andrews after he returned from Miami. (AP Photo)
US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Pope Leo XIV, saying he is “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” and is hurting the Catholic church.
The US president also posted on his Truth Social platform that it was only because he was president that the US-born Leo became pope.
Trump said in the post: Unfortunately, Leo’s Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons, does not sit well with me.
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. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!
.@POTUS: "I don't think he's doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess… I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo. He's a very liberal person — and he's a man that doesn't believe in stopping crime." https://t.co/Aim0xeALzupic.twitter.com/oUSJsmJBwU
Trump’s attack came after Leo denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” as fuelling the US-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace.
Leo, who is known for choosing his words carefully, has emerged as an outspoken critic of the US-Israeli war on Iran that began on February 28.
The pope said this month’s threat from Trump to destroy Iranian civilization was “unacceptable.” He has also called for “deep reflection” about the way migrants are being treated in the US under the Trump administration.
“Leo should get his act together as Pope,” Trump wrote in his post, later telling reporters he was not a “big fan” of the pontiff.
The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.
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President Donald Trump speaks with reporters at Joint Base Andrews after he returned from Miami. (AP Photo) 
