Trump and the Pope in War of Words: “Weak”

After the American president attacked the Pope, accusing him of being weak on crime and terrible at foreign policy, Catholic bishops from both the USA and Italy have come to the defense of Leo XIV.

“Pope Leo is WEAK when it comes to crime and terrible when it comes to foreign policy,” writes Donald Trump in a widely noted post on Truth Social.

“I do not want a Pope who thinks it’s okay for Iran to have nuclear weapons. I do not want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a country that sent massive amounts of drugs to the USA and, even worse, emptied their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our country. And I do not want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States for doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE VICTORY, to do, setting record-low crime numbers and creating the greatest stock market in history.”

According to Trump, the Pope should be grateful for his role as “he was a shocking surprise” and “was not on any list to become Pope, and was placed there by the church because he was American, and they thought it would be the best way to handle President Donald J. Trump.”

If Trump were not in the White House, Leo XIV would not be Pope either, says the president.

“Leo should get himself together as Pope, use common sense, stop catering to the radical left and focus on being a great Pope, not a politician. It hurts him a lot and, even more importantly, it hurts the Catholic Church!”

Bishops to the Rescue

After the post, Leo XIV receives support from both American and Italian bishops.

– I am dismayed that the president chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father, said Archbishop Paul Coakley, chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, in a statement published Sunday.

– Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is Christ’s representative who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls.

Support also comes from the Italian Bishops’ Conference, which says Pope Leo “is not a political counterpart but the successor of Peter, called to serve the gospel, the truth, and peace.”

“In a time marked by international conflicts and tensions, his voice represents a powerful call to the dignity of the person, to dialogue, and to responsibility,” say the Italian bishops in a statement, adding that they hope “everyone will show respect for his person and his office.”

Does Not Want to Debate

When Leo XIV was asked about Trump’s comments, the Pope said he “had no intention to debate” with the American president.

Trump’s comment comes after the Pope condemned what he described as Trump’s threats against civilians in Iran.