Pope Leo XIV rebuffs Trump's criticismrebuffs Trump's criticism over US-Israel-Iran war
Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pontiff, responded on April 13 aboard his papal plane to President Donald Trump's attacks over the pope's criticism of the US-Israel war in Iran. Trump accused Leo of catering to the radical left and lacking common sense after the pope decried a 'delusion of omnipotence' fueling the conflict and called for peace during a Saturday prayer service. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian backed the pope against Trump, escalating the public row.
This feud highlights tensions between US leadership and the Catholic Church amid an ongoing war in Iran, where a fragile ceasefire and negotiations in Pakistan are underway. Leo plans to continue advocating the Gospel's peace message during his Africa tour starting in Algeria, while Trump's broadsides extend to past US actions like the Venezuela operation. The exchange draws global attention as world leaders weigh in on the divide.
Trump Administration
President Trump sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV for opposing the US-Israel war in Iran and past actions against Venezuela, calling him out for catering to the radical left. Trump argued that Leo lacks common sense, should focus on being a great pope rather than a politician, and only holds his position to deal with him. He defended his policies as fulfilling his landslide election mandate.
Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV stated he has no fear of the Trump administration and will speak out loudly on the Gospel's message of peace and reconciliation. He rejected equating his calls against war's madness with Trump's actions, emphasizing the church's mission amid the Iran conflict. Leo plans to continue this stance during his Africa tour.
Iranian Perspective
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian backed Pope Leo XIV against Trump, viewing the US president's attacks as unacceptable. This support aligns with Iran's position in the ongoing war, where it faces US-Israel military actions during a fragile ceasefire and negotiations.
- **Villanova University** in Pennsylvania boasts a storied Catholic heritage, founded by Augustinians in 1842.
- Algeria, Leo XIV's first stop, holds Africa's largest land area at over 2.3 million square kilometers.
- **Order of Saint Augustine**, Leo's original order, traces to 1244 unification of Italian hermits.
US-Iran Ceasefire War
The United States launched military strikes against Iran on June 26, 2026, in response to a drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a "foolish violation" of the 60-day ceasefire agreement signed just days earlier[2][4][14].
26 June, 09:35 PM
US launches strikes against Iran following commercial ship attack26 June, 04:47 PM
Trump calls Iran drone attack on cargo ship a ceasefire violation
