Trump Denounces Pope Leo Again, Italy’s Meloni Says his Comments ‘Unacceptable’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, saying the pontiff is “wrong” and rejecting calls for an apology. The dispute has drawn international reaction, including criticism from Italy’s prime minister. The growing clash highlights tensions between political leadership and religious voices on the conflict.
Trump vs Pope Leo Quick Looks
- Trump refuses to apologize to Pope Leo
- President calls pope “wrong” on Iran
- Pope criticized U.S. war rhetoric
- Trump warns against nuclear Iran threat
- Italian Prime Minister criticizes Trump remarks
- Pope Leo calls for peace in conflict
- Dispute widens political-religious divide
- Trump says pope weak on crime
- Vatican tensions grow over Iran war
- First American pope increasingly vocal
- Allies react to escalating rhetoric
- Debate centers on nuclear Iran threat
Deep Look: Trump and Pope Leo Clash Intensifies Over Iran War
President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of Pope Leo XIV on Monday, rejecting calls for an apology and saying the pontiff was “wrong” for opposing the U.S. position in the ongoing war with Iran.
Speaking to reporters, Trump defended his earlier remarks criticizing the pope and doubled down on his stance.
“No, I don’t, because Pope Leo said things that are wrong,” Trump said when asked whether he owed an apology. “He was very much against what I’m doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran.”
Trump argued that allowing Iran to develop nuclear capabilities would create catastrophic consequences.
“You have hundreds of millions of people dead, and it’s not going to happen,” he said.
The president also criticized Pope Leo’s broader positions, calling him “very weak on crime and other things,” while emphasizing that he was responding to the pontiff’s public criticism.
“There’s nothing to apologize for. He’s wrong,” Trump said. “Iran wants to be a nuclear nation… Not going to happen.”
Pope Leo’s Opposition to War
Pope Leo XIV — the first American pope — has increasingly spoken out against the U.S. and Israeli military campaign in Iran.
Last week, the pope condemned Trump’s rhetoric toward Iran as “truly unacceptable,” while urging diplomatic solutions and calling for peace.
In response to Trump’s criticism, Pope Leo said he had “no fear” of the Trump administration and would continue speaking out based on religious teachings.
The Vatican’s position has centered on humanitarian concerns, regional stability, and opposition to escalating violence.
European Ally Criticizes Trump
The dispute widened after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni — widely considered a Trump ally — criticized the president’s comments.
“I find President Trump’s words toward the Holy Father unacceptable,” Meloni said.
She defended the pope’s role, noting that it is natural for the head of the Catholic Church to call for peace and condemn war.
Meloni’s remarks reflect growing international concern over the escalating rhetoric between political and religious leaders.
Trump’s Earlier Comments
On Sunday, Trump criticized Pope Leo’s foreign policy stance, saying he was “terrible for foreign policy” and “weak.”
“We don’t like a pope that’s going to say that it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters.
Trump argued that strong action against Iran is necessary to prevent nuclear proliferation and global instability.
Growing Political and Religious Divide
The public clash highlights a widening divide between political leadership and religious authorities over the Iran conflict.
Faith leaders have increasingly expressed concern about the humanitarian impact of the war and risks of escalation.
Meanwhile, Trump and his administration have emphasized national security and preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
The disagreement underscores broader debates about military intervention, diplomacy, and moral leadership.
Trump Clarifies Jesus-Like Image
The tensions come amid another controversy involving Trump, after he posted an AI-generated image that appeared to depict himself as a Jesus-like figure.
When questioned, Trump said he believed the image portrayed him as a doctor rather than a religious figure.
“I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor,” Trump said when asked about the image.
The explanation came after criticism from religious leaders and supporters who viewed the image as inappropriate.
Ongoing Tensions
The clash between Trump and Pope Leo shows no sign of easing as the Iran conflict continues.
Key issues driving the dispute include:
- Iran nuclear program concerns
- Humanitarian impact of war
- Diplomatic vs military solutions
- International political reactions
- Religious leadership role in global conflicts
With the conflict ongoing, the divide between political and religious voices may continue to shape public debate.
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