Trump attacks Pope Leo, calling him ‘weak’ on crime and ‘terrible’
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sunday, April 12, 2026, after he returned from Miami. (AP Photo) US President Donald Trump issued a scathing attack on Pope Leo late on Sunday, calling him “weak” on crime and “terrible” for foreign policy after the religious leader criticized Trump’s foreign and immigration policies.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote in a lengthy post on Truth Social.
.@POTUS: “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess… I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo. He’s a very liberal person — and he’s a man that doesn’t believe in stopping crime.” https://t.co/Aim0xeALzu pic.twitter.com/oUSJsmJBwU
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 13, 2026
Leo, who is known for choosing his words carefully, has emerged as an outspoken critic of the US-Israeli war on Iran that began on February 28.
The pope said this month’s threat from Trump to destroy Iranian civilization was “unacceptable.” He has also called for “deep reflection” about the way migrants are being treated in the US under the Trump administration.
“Leo should get his act together as Pope,” Trump wrote in his post, later telling reporters he was not a “big fan” of the pontiff.
