Trump launches fierce attack on Pope: "Weak and bad at foreign policy"

US President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on Pope Leo XIV, expressing his strong displeasure with the political and religious orientations adopted by the Pontiff. These statements came on Monday morning, revealing a deep gap in visions between the White House and the Holy See regarding thorny international issues.

In statements made from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, Trump described the Pope as a "very liberal" figure, indicating that he does not trust the Pope's ability to understand national security imperatives. The US President added that the Vatican's current positions do not serve efforts to combat crime or the stability of the international order.

Trump explicitly accused the Pope of leniency with powers that threaten global security, specifically regarding the Iranian issue, saying that the Pope is courting a country seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. Trump considered this approach a danger to American interests and its allies in the region and the world.

On his 'Truth Social' platform, Trump continued his criticisms, asserting that he does not accept the existence of a Pope who considers Iran's possession of nuclear weapons acceptable, or who opposes US military movements in Venezuela. Trump described Pope Leo as "weak" in dealing with criminal issues and a failure in managing foreign policy from his perspective.

These attacks come in response to the calls of Pope Leo XIV, aged 70, who appealed to international leaders for the necessity of ending wars immediately. The Pope had called last Friday to stop what he described as 'self-worship and money' and displays of military power that claim lives.

Not content with general calls, the Pope directed sharp implicit criticisms at both the United States and Israel over the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. He affirmed in a message via the 'X' platform that those who follow Christ's teachings cannot participate in dropping bombs or supporting armed conflicts.

In his recent stances, the Pontiff stressed that military action will not open horizons for freedom or sustainable peace, but rather complicate humanitarian crises. He called instead for promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence among peoples, considering patience the only key to achieving stability.

In a related context, the Vatican and the Pentagon denied the accuracy of press reports that spoke of American pressure exerted on the Catholic Church to support the military power of the United States. A spokesman for the Holy See clarified that the circulating narratives about the papal ambassador's meeting with officials in the Ministry of War are not related to the truth.

Media reports had claimed that Cardinal Christophe Pierre was subjected to a 'scathing rebuke' by Elbridge Colby, Under Secretary of War for Policy, during a meeting last January. The reports alleged that the American side demanded the Church fully align with American military power as the dominant force.

However, the US Department of Defense and the US Ambassador to the Holy See quickly denied these reports, affirming that diplomatic meetings proceed in their usual official framework. They indicated that what some newspapers published about the behind-the-scenes of the January meeting lacks accuracy and editorial credibility.

These escalating debates reflect unprecedented tension in the relationship between Washington and the Vatican, especially with Trump's insistence on adopting 'Ministry of War' policies instead of 'Defense'. The question remains about the extent of this public clash's impact on the Catholic electoral base in the United States and on the Vatican's diplomatic role in global crises.

I am not a big fan of Pope Leo, he is a very liberal person, a man who does not believe in stopping crime.