“Weak” ; “catastrophic”… Donald Trump attacks Leo XIV, who responds

“Pope Leo is WEAK on crime, and catastrophic on foreign policy issues”: last Sunday, Donald Trump published a long message on his Truth Social network, in which the American president formulates various sharp attacks against Pope Leo XIV.

“Enough with the idolatry of self and money!” Enough with the show of force! Enough with the war! », Called the sovereign pontiff on Saturday, during a prayer for peace given at Saint Peter’s Basilica, in front of thousands of faithful, including members of the diplomatic corps. “Sit at the tables of dialogue and mediation, not at the tables where rearmament is planned and where acts of death are deliberated! » he urges political leaders.

“If I wasn’t in the White House, Léon wouldn’t be in the Vatican”

“I don’t want a pope who finds it normal for Iran to have nuclear weapons. I do not want a pope who finds it terrible that the United States attacked Venezuela, a country that sent enormous quantities of drugs to the United States and, even worse, that poured into our country the population of its prisons, including murderers, drug traffickers and assassins,” lists Donald Trump in his message, ultimately specifying that he does not want “a pope who criticizes the President of the United States.”

“Leon should be grateful…he was only put there because he’s an American and they thought it would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump. If I was not in the White House, Léon would not be in the Vatican,” he assures.

Donald Trump, not a “big fan” of Leo XIV

Questioned a few hours earlier by an American media outlet, the tenant of the White House declared: “I am not a big fan of Pope Leo (…) I have the impression that he likes crime. He is a very liberal person, and he is a man who does not believe in the fight against crime,” he insisted.

These criticisms come at a time when Leo XIV is increasing his critical speeches regarding American policy. Already at the end of March, he affirmed that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war”, then called on Donald Trump to find a way out of the conflict in Iran. At Easter, the pope reiterated his calls, urging “those who have the power to start wars” to choose peace, without naming any particular country.

In the fall of 2025, Leo XIV was also concerned about the anti-immigration policy led by Donald Trump, describing the treatment reserved for migrants as “extremely disrespectful”.

Leo XIV’s response

Leo XIV took the time to respond to criticism from Donald Trump this Monday April 13, aboard the papal plane which took him to Algeria, where he is expected for a two-day visit. “I am not afraid of the Trump administration, nor of speaking loud and clear the message of the Gospel,” he told the journalists present. Before adding: “I am not a politician, I do not intend to enter into a debate with him”.

For the Pope, “the message has always been the same: to promote peace”. “I say this for all the leaders of the world, not just for him. We always seek to end wars and promote peace and reconciliation. (…) Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone needs to stand up and say there is a better way. »