President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he is “not a big fan” of Pope Leon XIV, who had delivered a strong speech against war the day before and was criticized on social media by Trump. Trump accused the pope of playing with a country seeking nuclear weapons and supporting Iran’s nuclear program. He also criticized the pope for opposing the US military operation in Venezuela in January and meeting with Obama supporters.
Trump, in a lengthy message on his Truth Social platform, expressed his disapproval of the pope’s criticism and emphasized his own achievements in reducing crime rates and creating a strong stock market. He accompanied his message with an image generated by artificial intelligence, showing him in a white and red toga touching the forehead of a patient in a hospital bed surrounded by praying individuals, the American flag, the Statue of Liberty, fighter jets, eagles, and other symbols in the sky.
The pope, in a strong criticism of ongoing conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, had called for an end to war and emphasized the need for faith in facing the current challenges in history. He urged leaders to prioritize peace and dialogue over militarization and violent actions.
Pope Leon XIV took office in May 2025 and has been vocal in his opposition to some of the Trump administration’s decisions while maintaining communication channels open. In his calls for peace, the Pope did not mention specific political leaders or countries.
[Context: President Trump criticized Pope Leon XIV for his stance on war and other international matters. The Pope emphasized the need for peace and dialogue.] [Fact Check: The article discusses interactions and criticisms between President Trump and Pope Leon XIV.]
