In a message posted on his Truth Social network on Sunday, April 12, 2026, Donald Trump sharply criticized Pope Leon for being weak in the face of crime and catastrophic in foreign policy.
Leon XIV, who has been calling for peace in the Middle East in recent weeks, had previously declared that “God blesses no conflict.” He stated, “I am not afraid of the Trump administration or of expressing the message of the Gospel loudly.” In response, Vice President J.D. Vance suggested that the Vatican stick to moral issues and be cautious when discussing theological subjects.
Blandine Chelini-Pont, a professor of contemporary history at Aix-Marseille University and an expert on Catholicism in the United States, reflected on this sequence for La Vie magazine.
Is there any record of such vehement attacks by a U.S. president against the pope? No, this is a first. But it aligns with Donald Trump’s personality, as he does not like to be contradicted and prefers power dynamics. His constant use of transgression as a communication method is also evident, which is very effective in controlling media attention.
